CALIFORNIA Collectibles

It used to be blue-chip bottles (classified Bordeaux, Premier and Grand Cru Burgundy, vintage Port and Champagne) that experts most prized—and that earned collectors credibility as they began the process of building a cellar.

But all that has changed in recent years, as the Golden State has gained equal footing in the wine world. Thanks to the rise of California’s cult Cabernets, suddenly Harlan and Screaming Eagle have become just as valuable as Lafite and Mouton.

What follows is our roundup of vineyards and vintages emblematic of the newest batch of California collectibles. Like their predecessors, they can be expensive and difficult to find, but they will evolve over time and provide an exhilarating drinking