Need help with choosing wines for future anniversaries

https://forums.winespectator.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6826053161/m/111102313

Welcome to the boards Blondegirl, enjoy yourself here and don't take anything but advice too seriously.

You can start with wines from your wedding year even now. I'm taking a guess that you would like wines from last year's vintage. It would be useful to know what types of wine you both like and putting your approximate location will help with sourcing and budget could be useful too.

2004 was an excellent year in New Zealand and the Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs are ready to drink now. Cloudy Bay is the best known and the basis of New Zealand's reputation for this grape. There are plenty of others such as Kim Crawford and Nobilo Icon but Cloudy Bay is special.

According to the headlines California is good for 2004 with James Laube claiming it to be consistently high quality. With Bordeaux being a bit streaky you might want to look at Cali Cabs for fifth and tenth. Others will give you big hints on these, I haven't a clue about California.

Probably difficult to suggest an ageworthy for twenty five years just yet. If you want something from 2003 then get Port. Vintage Taylor Fladgate will always hold but there is a thread on 2003 VP somewhere. Top Bordeaux from 2003 will age to that time as well but then you have to pay the prices.

Welcome Blondegirl, I have posted the same question last year on my 1st. I was comtemplating to open some young Bordeaux that I have, and I was suggested to go with a champagne. I ended up with

1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon

It was a very nice choice....

blondegirl

Welcome to the WS Forums.

It would be good to have some guidelines, such as price (how much do you want to spend per bottle?), preference (what do you two like to drink? (red, white, young, old), area (Europe, USA, Australia, etc)....

However, wines that are good for aging are usually red wines. Good red wines from the 2004 vintage have not been bottled yet. They are still aging in the barrels; some will stay in the barrels for two years and then in the bottles for 1 to 2 years before they are released for sale. So you are looking at 2006/7 before you see some of the ageable wonderful wines for your future celebrations.

What area are you living in? You should choose a good local wine store and ask them for an excellent white wine from the 2004 vintage to celebrate your first anniversary. Then buy your reds from the 2004 vintage when they are released. Good Luck!

Hello All! thanks for the replies. Here are some more specifics.

We both prefer red - which I believe ages better anyway. I had heard a port might be good for the 25th. it does not matter to me from what year the wine is - just as long as it's "ready" at the appropriate time. I currently live in Toronto, but I come to Pennsylvania and Cincinnati often so I can purchase things there - or even online.

I would like to keep all three bottles combined under $200 - but if that's not reasonable, I would consider going a little higher.

I would like all three bottles before September to present as a gift.

I think these were the questions. Hope this helps you help me! haha

thanks again!

blondegirl ,
how are you going to store all those wines for all those years?

blondegirl --

Hard to make specific recommendations so early, but here's one for you:

Vieux-Château-Certan

I believe James Suckling has already tasted it in barrel and gives it a (95-100) rating. It should age beautifully.

What is impossible is guessing how much it'll cost. You should be able to pick up three bottles on a futures basis for around $200, but the wine won't be available until 2007 at the earliest.

quote:

Originally posted by blondegirl:
Hello everyone. I'm new here. But a friend suggested I check with all of you knowledgeable wine connoisseurs.

Anyway, my husband and I are celebrating our first anniversary in September. As his gift, I'd like to get a bottle for us to drink on our 5th (2009), our 10th (2014), and our 25th (2029) anniversaries. We've always enjoyed sharing wine together, especially at special occassions, but I have no idea where to start to choose bottles that will age appropriately.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance!

The last thing you want to do is to begin by buying a wine that you won't drink for over 20 years, for a whole host of reasons, not least of which the fact that without perfect storage it will be undrinkable by then.

A more practical gift would be to buy a half case of something, find someone close by to store it for you (a friendly restaurant maybe) and drink a bottle every year on your anniversary.

Plan for the 10 year event closer to the time.

On behalf of the TWC (Toronto Wine Cru/Crew), welcome to the boards Blondegirl!

Can get 3 bottles of 96 Dom starting at $320usd depends where you get them.

i think it is to early to get the best 2004th vintage wines now, the best will come out next year.

I'm with the others, Blondegirl..

Unless you're prepared to invest in a wine refrigerator, or have a cellar where you can leave the wine undisturbed and protected from light, vibration, and temperature variation (10 C is the ideal) for 20 years, the wine would be undrinkable..

Better to put the money you would spend on a wine fridge (or mini cellar) on a case of wine, as Dave suggests..

Welcome to the forum!

quote:

Originally posted by Golf&Pinot Nut:

Hard to make specific recommendations so early, but here's one for you:

Vieux-Château-Certan

Le vin français suce!

Your sig line and recommendation don't match up very well G&P.

Blondegirl,

Don't let us geeks change your plans. This sounds like a nice idea. Do store them at a cool, reasonably constant temperature and they should be fine. I chose these wines specifically because they should age appropriately for the designated times, and because you don't have to be a "geek" to understand or enjoy them.

5 years

2001 California Cabernet from one of the mountain appelations (Howell Mtn., Mt. Veeder, or Diamond Mtn.)

10 years

1999 Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany). Get the best producer you can find. I reccomend Valdicava.

25 years

This must be vintage Port from either 1994 or 2000. This one might put you over the $200. Look for half bottles. Do the best you can, it will be worth it.

Welcome, cheers and best wishes both in the wine and the married world.

Thanks everyone! Yes - I know that I won't have perfect storing conditions - and I do very much enjoy a good bottle of wine - but with this gift, I know that it will be "the thought that counts." I'm just hoping for something that will taste decent when we open it - if it's amazing it will be that much of a bonus!!!

thanks again for the ideas. If any others come along, please let me know.

thanks!

Here are some bottles that I found - what do you think:

Quinta do Noval 2000 Silval Vintage Porto - for 2029



Banfi 1999 Brunello di Montalcino - for the 2014


Ch. Souverain 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - for 2009

what does everyone think about those selections?

They all seem to have good ratings now but want to make the aging will seem to work.

thanks for the advice!