wine recomadition

Got my interest peaked. I will be watching this thread to take the advice posted.

The wines that keep longest are the ones which mature slowest. As a result, they don't get released on the market until much later. Any of the 2003's on the market now are not going to age well. So you'll have to be patient.

Your best bet would be a vintage port, but I don't know anything about the wine crop in the Douro region for 2003. If it was good, then a number of port houses will declare 2003 to be a vintage year for them and, in due course, they will release their vintage ports. The youngest vintage ports released now are the 2000's - so you'll have to wait a while to see.

There are other possibilities, such as a high-end bordeaux, barolo, some of the icon shirazes from Aus (e.g. the Grange), but the least risky (and possibly the least expensive) choice would be a vintage port.

I agree with ITW. If it turns out that 2003 is a vintage year for port, it is your safest and least expensive option. My Port preferences have always been #1) Fonseca, #2) Taylor Fladgate but Quinto do Noval (which I've never tried) or Grahms would also, almost certainly, be excellent as well.

I've been hearing some terrific things about 2003 Bordeaux, but it is way too early to tell for sure. It may turn out phenominal, in which case any one of 15+ chateau would work. I would read up on barrel-sample tasting notes before deciding which chateau to buy. I can say, in general, that Leoville Las Cases is often thought to be of First-Growth quality, but it is only 1/2 the price. Personally, I have taken great joy in drinking the wines of Pichon Lalande and Montrose, but unless it is an excellent vintage, both of these wines could be on the decline in 21 years. (On the other hand, 1970 Montrose is drinking beautifully now, 33 years after vintage.)

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don't bother with wine, your kid will get his own, and well before his 21st.

[This message was edited by grunhauser on Jan 04, 2004 at 01:40 PM.]

Well you picked the right year to have a son whom you are going to save wine for (at least that is the early news from the vineyards but we will have to see).

My advice is that you have 21 years to go you don't have to quick with this decision. Wait until he is 4 or 5 years old and ask the question again.

Welcome to the boards & Congratulations! You will find some great people here and advice. I posted a similar question a while back when I became a grandfather for the first time ("What (2002 whoops it is 2003 isn't it) wine to lay down for a new Grand-daughter"). Take a look at that thread...there is some great advice there.