What ONE BOTTLE from your cellar will be your special occasion wine in five years?

[Yao C]

I have high hopes for my 1985 Magdelaine, which I haven't yet allowed myself to try

Don’t wait. It’s really great right now.

You can get more for 5 years from now.

Thank you for the push; I might have to go visit my storage...

[joejolesch]

2005 Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore, should be ready by then. My wife and I started dating in 2005 so looking forward to popping a few great bottles to celebrate. Probably going to get an ’05 Taittinger cdc, too.

[Bdklein]

My one last bottle of Seaver GTS Cabernet Sauvignon . It's a 2012 (I hope to buy again this January) and in 5 years the Mets will win the World Series !!

[William Segui]

Five years will be 50, probably VWFRR (the only bottle remaining from a long ago acquired & consumed stash)

[maureen nelson]

Hmm, either a 1993 Rousseau CSJ or 1999 Roumier Amoureuses.

[crickey]

If I had to answer the OP's question in the sense of what will be my "best" wine five years from now to celebrate a special occasion, I would pick the 1986 Mouton Rothschild, which will probably continue to be a special occasion wine five years from now and further beyond my age expectancy. In another sense, I have only two wines held for an occasion special to me: I have two birth year wines, one of which is probably vinegar and the other I hope to enjoy on my 90th birthday.

However, I share Alan's sentiments expressed above: I'm blessed to have a cellar full of good wine which brightens even a dreary, rainy, blah Thursday night (looking outside after a long day at work) and makes an otherwise unexceptional night merry. A good wine can make even such a night a special occasion.

[Andrew K.]

as I’ve opined many times, I don’t save wine for special occasions. I make the wine the occasion and will open great stuff even during the week. I still drink good and great wine on special occasions—I just don’t save it for them. Never know how long you will be here . . .

A man after my own heart that popped open a 61 Ducru on a Wed a few weeks back just because.

[Jayson Cohen]

If I had to answer the OP's question in the sense of what will be my "best" wine five years from now to celebrate a special occasion, I would pick the 1986 Mouton Rothschild, which will probably continue to be a special occasion wine five years from now and further beyond my age expectancy. In another sense, I have only two wines held for an occasion special to me: I have two birth year wines, one of which is probably vinegar and the other I hope to enjoy on my 90th birthday.

However, I share Alan's sentiments expressed above: I'm blessed to have a cellar full of good wine which brightens even a dreary, rainy, blah Thursday night (looking outside after a long day at work) and makes an otherwise unexceptional night merry. A good wine can make even such a night a special occasion.

I feel like this too. Happy to have lots of good wine to enjoy all the time.

If the real intent of the OP was, “What’s your most precious bottle?” that’s a different question. I’m still not sure what the answer is.

[Bruce Rudman]

OK, I agree with Alan that you don't need to wait for a special occasion to have good wine. To wit, on a day when work was hell, opened a BTK that cost a lot, just cause.... have opened an '08 Dom just to celebrate being alive on a day when I had word someone I knew died... I have no real limitations on grabbing something from the cellar. But, the question was more reflective. If there was some day VERY special to you, what wine in your cellar would you want to open for that day.

The five year goal was because in my case, 65 is a special day... however, 60 is upcoming too (unfortunately I don't think I cn share with a larger group on that date due to COVID). No doubt some have no restrictions on what they drink, but I assume some have something they have saved for a special occasion.

I don't own any 30+ year old Burgundy or 40 + year old Bordeaux (I do have some Bordeaux and Burgundy from the 90's but they would not be my persona choice) and I have some 20+ year old Cabernet. Still, on reflection, the wine in my OP would bee my choice in five years.

[Craig G]

For what it’s worth, I find it very easy to open old bottles that I’ve acquired recently, for example I recently bought two 1962 Torres Gran Coronas black label. I’ll certainly drink a bottle by next year. The bottles I have a harder time opening are the last few of something I’ve kept for 30 years.

[G. Curd]

In 5 years? Not sure yet. My three "special occasion bottles" are two 2001 JJ Prum WS Auslese Gold Cap Auction bottles and 1 2005 JJ Prum WS Auslese Gold Cap Auction bottle.

I will likely drink one of the non-auction 2001 Gold Cap bottles in 5 years so I will go with that one.

[Christian Obermanns]

2018 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru La Forest

or

2001 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel


maybe both.

[Paul Luckin]

as I’ve opined many times, I don’t save wine for special occasions. I make the wine the occasion and will open great stuff even during the week. I still drink good and great wine on special occasions—I just don’t save it for them. Never know how long you will be here . . .

::likebutton::

[Paul @bbott]

Around that time my daughter will be 30, we still have some 1994 Léoville-Barton in mags, and will finish them off as the last wines from the year of her birth.

[Robert.A.Jr.]

So, with the arrival of my recent shipments, I gave this some thought last night. I have a fairly deep cellar and will be turning 65 in a little over five years. I previously thought my '12 Harlan, or '12 Schrader Old Sparky would be the wines, but then I got a magnum of '18 Myriad Dr. Crane Elysium.

For me, THE bottle will be a magnum of '18 Myriad Dr. Crane Elysium.

WHAT WILL BE YOURS? Remember, it has to be five years from now, not something to open today.

I hit the big 6.0 in 5.1 years, but was hoping not to think about it. Since you raised it, I do have a bottle of 1998 Petrus that I figured could use another 5 years. I look at it recently, almost pulled it (twice), and then said nah, patience old man, give it 5. Sadly, my birthyear is a suck-butt year in wine pretty much in most wine regions that I buy.

[Robert.A.Jr.]

I have high hopes for my 1985 Magdelaine, which I haven't yet allowed myself to try

Don’t wait. It’s really great right now.

You can get more for 5 years from now.

Thank you for the push; I might have to go visit my storage...

I agree with Jayson. When on, this is a stunning vintage of Magdelaine. I have one left, but there is no reason to wait at all.

[Jay Opperman]

1961 Latour A Pomerol or 1961 La Mission Haut Brion

[Sarah Kirschbaum]

as I’ve opined many times, I don’t save wine for special occasions. I make the wine the occasion and will open great stuff even during the week. I still drink good and great wine on special occasions—I just don’t save it for them. Never know how long you will be here . . .

I quite agree with you in many ways, Alan. But when I have a single bottle of something I will probably only taste that once, I do give thought to when and how would be the best way to enjoy it. At home or in a restaurant? With a small group, or just Jonathan? What food? In the evening or a long leisurely lunch? Those things matter. I am happy to open such a bottle on a Tuesday, it just has to be the right sort of Tuesday.

[I. Howe]

I hit the big 6.0 in 5.1 years, but was hoping not to think about it. Since you raised it, I do have a bottle of 1998 Petrus that I figured could use another 5 years. I look at it recently, almost pulled it (twice), and then said nah, patience old man, give it 5. Sadly, my birthyear is a suck-butt year in wine pretty much in most wine regions that I buy.

Really? Are you sure it won't be a 2014 Ridge Cab Estate acquired from B-21?

[scamhi]

I have no idea what I will open in 5 years.
I do know, for sure, a great wine night or a few great nights will happen when Covid is behind us.

[Jeff_M.]

Probably will pop an 04' Hillside Select, if I can keep my hands off it for that long.

[Robert.A.Jr.]

I hit the big 6.0 in 5.1 years, but was hoping not to think about it. Since you raised it, I do have a bottle of 1998 Petrus that I figured could use another 5 years. I look at it recently, almost pulled it (twice), and then said nah, patience old man, give it 5. Sadly, my birthyear is a suck-butt year in wine pretty much in most wine regions that I buy.

Really? Are you sure it won't be a 2014 Ridge Cab Estate acquired from B-21?

Actually, the special event will b@21.

[Jud Reis]

Turn 60 next year, saving a 59 Latour for that. 5 years from now I think it is a 2008 Cristal and a 01 d’Yquem.

[Adam Noble]

My specialist occasion wine is the lone bottle of 2015 Jacky Truchot Charmes-Chambertin I acquired at the very end of its availability at retail. Or maybe my 2011 Maison Ilan Chambertin?

[David Baum]

Two years ago a client gifted me an 89 Lynch Bages that he purchased on release and it’s been stored perfectly though I might just drink it Tuesday night with him

[Fred Bower]

I am certainly not gifted with enough foresight and patience to think about 5 years out, but I have built a cellar that will ensure I have ample choices that would be considered "special" for that time period. I expect I will want to have a look at a Dujac Vosne Malconsorts or Meo Vosne Brulees by then, as I have been able to stash a few away in vintages starting with 2012.

Cheers,
fred

[Andy Sc]

Two years ago a client gifted me an 89 Lynch Bages that he purchased on release and it’s been stored perfectly though I might just drink it Tuesday night with him

This will need intensive decanting. My last bottle was best after 6 hours in the decanter at the end of the evening (could have used even more)... but every bottle is different, although your bottle sound like my bottel with perfect storage all life long.

[KenL.]

2006 Ridge Monte Bello. Love these at the twenty year mark.

[David Baum]

Two years ago a client gifted me an 89 Lynch Bages that he purchased on release and it’s been stored perfectly though I might just drink it Tuesday night with him

This will need intensive decanting. My last bottle was best after 6 hours in the decanter at the end of the evening (could have used even more)... but every bottle is different, although your bottle sound like my bottel with perfect storage all life long.

Thanks for the tip. Hoping it shows great whenever I get around to drinking it. Supposed to be spectacular

[Kurt_L]

just sprung for a 2019 pichon lalande. should start a new thread for special occasions in 30 years

[Brian Pinci]

'82 Mouton waiting for the right moment...

[Randy Meyer]

as I’ve opined many times, I don’t save wine for special occasions. I make the wine the occasion and will open great stuff even during the week. I still drink good and great wine on special occasions—I just don’t save it for them. Never know how long you will be here . . .

I couldn't agree more with this perspective. Friends think I'm crazy but having seen many go way before their time I say drink up. Everyday is a day to celebrate life and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

[Morgan S]

2010 gaja sori tildin or maybe 15 years

[Bob Hughes]

I agree with Alan and Sarah - I’ve had the ‘99 Conterno Barolo with pizza before, and I’m sure I’ll do it again.

If this past year has taught us anything, it should be that no wine is that special that we can’t open it whenever the mood strikes us.

All that said, I do have a bottle of 1834 Madeira in the cellar that feels like it should be opened for a special occasion - time will tell.

[Kris Patten]

1996 Salon or 6L of 1996 Clos des Corton

[Andrew K.]

1996 Salon or 6L of 1996 Clos des Corton

Love your taste. Also have a 96 Salon waiting for... something.

[jordan jacobs]

I will probably open my first of two bottles of 2000 Margaux.

[jordan jacobs]

1996 Salon or 6L of 1996 Clos des Corton

While my opinion on Champagne is worth little, the 96 Salon was the best champagne I have ever had.

[jon leifer]

Tossup between 1994 Dominus and 1989 Leoville Las Cases..In the event I drink both of those gems before then, will go with the 2013 Tignanello

[Lee Braem]

I just retired in September and I was planning for this for about 5 years. In the two weeks after retired, I enjoyed the following: 2006 Hillside Select, 2009 Lewelling Wight, 2013 Roy Piper, 2006 Soldera, and a 2011 VHR. All great.

[Mike Grammer]

Not 5 years---2 years for the 10th anniversary of our wino small-group. 2008 Cristal paired with 2008 Cristal Rose.

5 years---I'm only starting to make the list for WineFest VI---I still have to somehow hold WineFest V But good question, Bruce.

[Craig G]

Two years ago a client gifted me an 89 Lynch Bages that he purchased on release and it’s been stored perfectly though I might just drink it Tuesday night with him

This will need intensive decanting. My last bottle was best after 6 hours in the decanter at the end of the evening (could have used even more)... but every bottle is different, although your bottle sound like my bottel with perfect storage all life long.

Thanks for the tip. Hoping it shows great whenever I get around to drinking it. Supposed to be spectacular

For what it’s worth, I don’t think you can go too far wrong with this wine. I’ve had it quite a few times over many years and it has always shown well, though always young. In my opinion it’s a 100 year wine that will be wonderful for all of those years.

The long decant will certainly not do any damage, though.

[mdavis]

as I’ve opined many times, I don’t save wine for special occasions. I make the wine the occasion and will open great stuff even during the week. I still drink good and great wine on special occasions—I just don’t save it for them. Never know how long you will be here . . .

Right philosophy, IMO. Well done, Alan.

But my answer would probably be 2005 Truchot CDLR or Charmes. While I'm happy to drink GC Burgs on any random Tuesday night, I probably wouldn't pull these.

-mark

[M. Taylor]

I have a 2008 Ducru Beaucaillou I am saving

[Adam Frisch]

Any of my old Amarone bottles from my collection, probably. Not because I enjoy the style, not anymore, but they're all pushing 25 years or older of age and they don't do well when aged for too long (in my opinion), so in order to have mercy on them, that would probably be my drink.

[T. Altmayer]

I have some Dom Perignon rose from 2004 that I am going to open for my son's graduation from college in 2023. I also have a bottle of Taittinger Comtes from 1998 (his birth year) that I am also going to open.

If my daughter gets engaged in that time period, I have quite of bit of 1995 Bordeaux including Margaux and Angelus that will also get consumed . . . but who knows.

[NED VALOIS]

I have a '45 Figeac which was going to be opened at my 75th last month, however Covid made a proper party impossible, so we will try when this disease does not endanger party goers.

[David Glasser]

In 3 years, 35th anniversary:
1988 Krug Clos du Mesnil
1988 Haut Brion
1988 Yquem

[BILL DN]

Haven't decided yet, but maybe 1959 d'Yquem.

Have you tried it yet? I have a bottle here.

[Jonathan Jaggers]

2009 Saint Prefert Charles Giraud CDP