Collectible Wines: Money In A Bottle

Some investors have a taste for alternatives, such as collectible wine. Depending on the vintage, prices can range from affordable to extremely expensive. You can buy through dealers, auctions, or an exchange known as Liv-Ex. Here are some examples of rare and specialty wines that have captured collectors' attention. Click ahead to see if they capture yours, too! Posted 23 Oct 2009

This bottle will be auctioned off by Acker, Merrall & Condit Co. in New York City on October 28th, 2009. The pre-auction estimate is between  $7,000 and $9,000. A 21% buyer's premium could put the total over $10, 000. Only about 6,000 bottles of the legendary burgundy are produced each year.

An original wooden case containing six bottles of 2000 Petrus. 2000 is one of the great vintages of the last 25 years. Acker, Merrall & Condit Co. is auctioning this case in New York City on October 28th, 2009. The pre-auction estimate is $20,000 to $24,000 for the case.

Collector Steve Contursi says he paid about $250 for a bottle of this California "cult" wine in 1996. He estimates the current value at about $1,500. It's a solid investment if you can get a bottle. Screaming Eagle only produces about 500 cases of wine each year.

Collector Steve Contursi says he paid between $80 and $90 for this bottle of Chateau Latour  in 1982. The red Bordeaux scores consistently high ratings. Contursi thinks it's worth about $1,500 in today's market.

A bottle of 1990 Petrus from Steve Contursi's collection. He says he paid about $250 for the bottle in 1990. Now, a bottle of 1990 Petrus regularly sells for more than $3000 at auction.

Steve Contursi's bottle #0001 of 1990 Grands Echezeaux (yes, it's Grands with an "s" on the end), the first one produced that year. Contursi estimates he paid $250 for the magnum. This is a red wine (Pinot Noir) from Burgundy, France. He believes it's worth close to $4,000.

Another California "cult" wine, always in high demand by collectors, because supply is very limited. Only about 1,100 cases of this 2004 Merlot were produced by this Napa Valley winemaker.

Steve Contursi's 1989 Petrus. It was a solid investment. Contursi estimates he paid about $250 for it. Auction prices for this wine run close to $3,000 a bottle.

A bottle of this 1971 red Bordeaux will sell for about $400.

The Wine Studio built this 6x10 foot, climate-controlled wine cellar for about $85,000. It will hold about 1,700 bottles of wine.

Bins of grapes at 2008 harvest.

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