Peggy and I celebrated our 25th anniversary on Valentine's Day with dinner at a favorite restaurant, the Elkridge Furnace Inn, and a couple of nice '88s. The food was outstanding, particularly a braised veal and mushroom with gnocchi appetizer and main dishes of rack of lamb and beef filet, all of which matched beautifully with the Haut Brion. Crème Brûlée for dessert paired beautifully with the Yquem. But the best part was reflecting on our 25 years together and hatching plans for the future. The wines:

• 1988 Château Haut-Brion - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (2/14/2013)
  Purchased on release and stored in temp controlled cellar since. Pristine fill and cork. Decanted for 1 hour and consumed over another 2 hours, with a glass left for the next day. Dark red core, lightening at rim. Cherry, cassis, dusty earthiness, blood and iron on the nose keeps getting better and more complex over an hour or two. Medium body with flavors following the nose, great balance with tannins mostly resolved and nice freshness from the fruit/acid tension accompanied by increasing complexity over time. Smooth medium-long finish. No fading the next day. Should continue to drink well for another decade or two. Outstanding.

• 1988 Château d'Yquem - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes (2/14/2013)
  Pristine fill and cork - 375ml bottle. Medium gold/orange color. Intense complex nose of citrus, pineapple, honey, spice. Killer balance between sweet creamy fruit and crisp acidity, complex flavors constantly changing on the palate and fading slowly into a long rich finish, this wine will last forever. Extraordinary.

Best wishes to you both, can't wait until my bride of 6 years and I celebrate our 25th, hopefully in grand fashion like you.

Congratulations, it looks like a wonderful evening.