EXPERIENCES

There is so much to be said for opening a bottle of one of the world’s most exclusive wines, slowly letting the elixir run into a crystal glass and relishing every sip. Enjoying a rare, fine wine is paying a tribute to yourself and the chance to toast the finer things in life.

We have put together a list of five of the most incredible vintages in the world, perhaps to add to your growing collection or to savor for a special occasion.

1. Domaine de la Romaneé-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru

This white, buttery and complex Chardonnay from Cote de Beaune, France is consistently on the top of wine critics’ “best of” lists. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, also known as DRC, is Burgundy's best-known and most collectible wine producer. Based in the village of Vosne-Romanée, the domaine sells wines from eight different grand cru vineyards spanning the length of the Côte d'Or. The most famous comes from the Romanée-Conti vineyard, and on average is the most expensive wine in the world. The amount of wine made each year from less than five acres is just 6,000 bottles. You will get hints of peach, apricot, citrus and green apple; earthy notes of honey and smoke with a wonderful finish. The splendid Montrachet Grand Cru pairs well with pasta, rich fish such as salmon and tuna, shellfish, mild and soft cheeses and cured meat. The average price for a bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru is USD$7,924.

If you are thinking about a trip to France and are looking to make Paris your vacation base, the stunning Townhouse Amanda on Ile Saint Germain on the River Seine is only a couple hours of a beautiful drive from Vosne-Romaneé where you can visit DRC and investigate this wine yourself.

2. Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc

This outstanding Sauvignon Blanc comes from the 57-acre Oakville Vineyard in Napa Valley, California. The wine is bottled unrefined, unfiltered and aged in 60% new oak. It is the most expensive Sauvignon Blanc in the world; a mere 25-30 cases are made each year. This Sauvignon Blanc stands out with its purity and precision. It is high toned with gorgeous texture, fresh peach, Mosel-like acidity, a touch of oak and wonderful intensity and length. The price for a bottle of the 2018 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc is roughly USD$5,510.

A visit to this very unique winery while on a Napa Valley vacation would be an exciting prospect. Staying at Villa Leanna, nestled right in California’s wine making heartland, will give you privacy, luxury, an incredible mountain view and the pinnacle of sophistication.

3. Teso La Monja

This wine is made by Sierra Cantabria, a producer specializing in all things Tempranillo. The backbone of some of the best Spanish wines, Tempranillo is a red grape variety grown in Spain and Portugal. It produces red wines with red fruit and leather, oak and ripe fruit aromas, high tannins, moderate to low acidity, and moderate alcohol. The color of Teso La Monja is a very deep cherry; the palate, powerful, flavorful and toasty with a long finish.

The Sierra Cantabria estate has been producing wine in Rioja since 1870, passing through five generations, with six wineries today. However, it's the Teso La Monja location in Toro in which the family has had a strong presence for more than a decade. This is wine created to become a legend, whose memory, wine enthusiasts say, will transcend generations, enduring over time. A bottle of this fine red has a price tag of about USD$1,050.

The magnificent Son Bunyola in Mallorca, is less than an hour away from Toro, where this wine is produced. It would be the fitting place to stay while taking in a number of Spain’s rich wineries. This home is one of three on a 680-acre estate – all available for booking for a memorable holiday in sunny Spain.

4. Masseto Toscana IGT

One of the finest wines from Tuscany has won top honors from the likes of British wine critic Jancis Robinson who awarded the 1987 vintage 18/20 for its delicate structure. Masseto is the iconic Merlot-based red wine produced in the Masseto Winery under the IGT Toscana classification. Characterized by ripe, black fruits, this round, elegant wine has excellent aging potential. The wine is known for its luscious fruit, complex aromas, and dense tannic structure. It is considered the ultimate expression of a single-varietal vineyard! This wine retails for about USD$767 a bottle.

Imagine staying in an unbelievable castle on a Tuscan hillside while touring the wineries of the region, including Masseto Winery. Castello di Magona was the former residence of Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany. This magical castle has been updated with modern conveniences, but it is still as opulent as its history.

5. Château Haut Brion Blanc

Château Haut Brion Blanc is one of Bordeaux's greatest dry white wines, equivalent to top-flight grand cru white Burgundy. It offers a complexity merging the crisp fruitiness of Sauvignon with the smooth mellowness of Semillon. Of the five first growths, it is the only wine with the Pessac-Léognan appellation and is the ancestor of a classification remaining the benchmark to this day. The first records of Haut-Brion wine were found in the wine cellar ledger of England’s King Charles II in 1660, however, documents dated to 1521 show wine being produced here since at least 1426, making Haut-Brion Bordeaux’s oldest winery. The average retail price of a bottle of Château Haut Brion Blanc is about USD$700.

Elite travelers thinking about a vacation to destinations offering the best wine and winery experiences can look to LVH to take care of all the planning – from luxury accommodations, to every itinerary detail. We only have one goal: To give you the most incredible vacation experience possible with memories you will carry for a lifetime.