Investing In Super Tuscan Wine (10 Best Wines, How To Invest)
Sassicaia’s Liv-ex price index (which tracks the prices of its past 10 vintages) grew by 29.8% in 2021, making it one of the best performing Italian brands of the year.
And this is just one great example of how Super Tuscan wines are taking over the wine world.
Explore everything you need to know about investing in Super Tuscan wine - why Super Tuscans make a good investment, 10 amazing Super Tuscan brands to go for, and how you can easily buy them through Vinovest.
Further reading
- Here's the Ultimate Guide to Tuscan Wine - a specialty of the region, grape varieties, and the best wines to buy in 2022.
- Also, discover why Investing in Fine Wine can help you diversify your portfolio.
Why Does Super Tuscan Wine Make A Good Investment?
Here are four reasons why you should add a Super Tuscan wine to your cellar.
- Impressive Return on Investment
- More Affordable than Some Bordeaux Wines and Burgundies
- Ever-Increasing Demand
- High-Quality Wine
- Longevity
A. Impressive Return On Investment
Fine, age-worthy Super Tuscan wines offer rewarding returns as they reach their peak. Take these, for example:
- The 2019 Sassicaia, released in February 2022 at $212 per bottle, sold for $298 in March 2022 in the secondary market. That’s a remarkable 40% rise in a month!
- The price of the 2010 Tignanello bottle appreciated by 75% between 2020 and 2022, going from $129 to $226.
Even during the pandemic, the fine wine market gave considerable returns. In fact, Dow Jones Industrial Average’s growth was 6% less than the Liv-ex 100 in 2021.
B. More Affordable than Some Bordeaux Wines and Burgundies
In 2020-21 the prices of Italian fine wine bottles rose by 20%, while the Bordeaux index grew by 14%. And Super Tuscans ruled the index.
Even with a greater price hike, Super Tuscans are more affordable than most Bordeaux and Burgundies.
For example, the 2018 Masseto Italian wine was released for $428 a bottle, while the 2018 Lafite Rothschild was released at $510 per bottle. On the other hand, the 2001 Domaine de la Romane Conti from Burgundy was released at an eye-popping $1,650.
C. Ever-Increasing Demand
Demand for Super Tuscan wines has undoubtedly soared in the past decade, especially for the wines from top Super Tuscan winemakers like Tenuta San Guido and Tignanello.
In 2021, the Liv-ex’s 2020 Power 100 saw three Super Tuscan wines in the top 10. Sassicaia took 4th place, while Ornellaia and Masseto took 6th and 9th place.
The USA is one of the largest markets for Super Tuscan wine.
(Fun fact: Even Beyonce was spotted enjoying the investment grade wine Sassicaia!)
The high demand and limited supply may push the prices higher in another decade or two - great news for investors.
D. High-Quality Wine
Tuscan winemakers like Marchese Piero Antinori and Angelo Gaja produce fine vintage wines with high acidity and bold tannins, which help the wines age gracefully.
Famous wine critic, James Suckling, claimed that Fontodi’s Flaccianello is the “best collectible wine.” Sassicaia’s 2013 vintage received an impressive 97 points from Robert Parker - thanks to its incredible power and depth.
E. Longevity
Super Tuscan wines can age for around 20-50 years - perfect for cellaring.
Wonder which Super Tuscan wines to begin with?
10 Best Super Tuscan Wines to Invest in 2022
Here are the 10 most favored Super Tuscan brands that produce great investment wine bottles :
1. Sassicaia
The famous Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido is the first commercial Super Tuscan wine and the first to become a subzone of the Bolgheri DOC.
It is a blend between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This ruby-red wine is bold and has medium tannins.
Two best vintages:
- 1998 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri ($462)
- 2015 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri ($389)
2. Masseto
A truly magnificent fine wine from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, the Masseto is made entirely from Merlot.
A bottle of this Italian wine usually has a firm oak presence, smooth tannins, and dried fruit on the palate.
Two best vintages:
- 2018 Masseto Toscana IGT ($877)
- 2015 Masseto Toscana IGT ($1,064)
3. Ornellaia
Ornellaia is a favorite among wine investors; thanks to its full body and powerful tannins, it is an age-worthy wine.
Until 2003, the international grape varieties used in the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia red wine mainly included Cabernet Sauvignon with small quantities of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Today, it also comprises Petit Verdot.
Two best vintages:
- 2017 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore ($241)
- 2006 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore ($317)
4. Tignanello
Tignanello is one of the earliest Super Tuscan wines made by Italian winery Marchesi Antinori. It was classified as vino da tavola (table wine) before it secured the title of Super Tuscan.
It is one of the most popular Super Tuscans. Its 2004 and 2013 vintages featured in the top 10 of the Wine Spectator Top 100.
This proprietary red blend usually comprises 80% Sangiovese with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, giving it firm tannins and excellent mineral notes.
Two best vintages:
- 2010 Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT ($226)
- 2018 Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT ($150)
5. L’Apparita
Produced by Castello di Ama, the L’Apparita is Merlot-based red wine known for its heavy tannins and fruity finish.
The Wine Advocate awarded the wine’s 2018 vintage a near-perfect 99.
Two best vintages:
- 2018 Castello di Ama L'Apparita Toscana IGT ($237)
- 2004 Castello di Ama L'Apparita Toscana IGT ($253)
6. Flaccianello della Pieve
Flaccianello della Pieve perfectly reflects the Sangiovese grape, picked from the Fontodi estate in Chianti Classico.
This dark red wine with concentrated tannins and blackberry fruit was called a masterpiece by James Suckling.
Two best vintages:
- 2013 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT ($143)
- 2006 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT ($193)
7. Solaia
Antinori’s Solaia comprises 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small portions of the Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc grape varieties.
This red wine has well-balanced tannins and acidity with wild spice and ripe fruit nuances.
Two best vintages:
- 2015 Marchesi Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT ($423)
- 2016 Marchesi Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT ($422)
8. Soldera
Soldera is primarily made from the Sangiovese grape by Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera winery. This Super Tuscan wine packs exciting acidity and fresh fruit notes.
The winery produces an average of 15,000 bottles or less annually, making it extremely difficult to source.
Two best vintages:
- 2008 Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana IGT $868
- 2010 Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana IGT $7,000
9. Redigaffi
Redigaffi, from the Tua Rita winery, with its silky and bold tannins, is Italy’s first wine to receive 100 points from Robert Parker.
There are only 9,000 Redigaffi bottles produced annually.
Two best vintages:
- 2013 Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT ($231)
- 2006 Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT ($354)
10. Messorio
Messorio (by Le Macchiole) is another Merlot monovarietal wine known for its aromatic intensity.
It has chewy tannins that take a few years to break down. It is why it is a favorite among investors.
Two best vintages:
- 2011 Le Macchiole Messorio Toscana IGT ($190)
- 2017 Le Macchiole Messorio Toscana IGT ($204)
However, you won’t find an investment grade wine at the supermarket.
How To Buy Super Tuscan Wine
Here are the different ways of getting hold of the Super Tuscans in the wine market:
- Investing Through An Online Wine Investment Platform Like Vinovest
- Wine Auction
- Professional Wine Merchants
A. Investing Through An Online Wine Investment Platform Like Vinovest
Vinovest is a wine investment firm that uses AI-driven technology to let wine lovers and collectors effortlessly buy, store, and sell rare and authentic fine wines.
Follow these simple steps to start your fine wine investment journey:
- Sign up online.
- Fill out a questionnaire so we can determine your risk tolerance and investment goals.
- Fund your account with a minimum of $1,000.
- Add authentic Italian wine, Mouton Rothschild, or other fine wines to your portfolio.
Some benefits that you get by when using Vinovest:
- Easy buying and selling using AI-driven technology
- Full-coverage insurance and security for every bottle
- Ensure the authenticity and provenance of your bottles
- Optimal storage in temperature-controlled warehouses with perfect humidity, light, and vibrations.
- And more!
B. Wine Auction
Auction houses are an excellent place to get fine vintage wines worthy of serious investors.
It is also an excellent place to learn about the producer of the wine and market performance. Some auction houses also authenticate and cellar your wine. However, that may cost you some extra bucks.
C. Professional Wine Merchants
You can also buy and sell wines through wine merchants that directly purchase the wines from wineries.
However, finding a trustworthy wine merchant is like finding a needle in a haystack. Make sure you go through the merchant’s track record before investing your money.
Get Your Hands On An Elite Super Tuscan Wine!
Super Tuscan wines are on the wishlist of every wine collector. But, it can be challenging to get your hands on these fantastic Italian wine bottles.
Luckily, Vinovest is here to help.
Sign up to buy, store, and sell authentic and rare Super Tuscan and other fine wines from around the globe - be it Tuscan wines like Brunello di Montalcino, Bordeaux wines, or Napa Valley cult wines.
