60-year-old stunner

[Peter_Hirdt]

No, the Subject doesn’t refer to me, although I wouldn’t refuse the compliment.

For my 60th birthday this weekend, we had dinner at North Fork Table on Long Island (highly recommended) and opened a bottle of 1954 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia. It was a beauty.

Even using a Durand, the cork came out in two pieces but it was a clean break and the cork was in pretty good shape—a bit spongy with very little staining. The wine was a revelation. It was light in color with orange at the rim, but the gloss and clarity were shocking. Elegant but not delicate, it gained weight over the course of the dinner. In retrospect it would have benefitted at least from slow oxidation, probably even from a decant.

Flavors were still focused, predominantly cherry and red berries, with no funk whatsoever. Finish was adequate, not exceptional.

I bought the bottle from Rare Wine Co in the early 2000s and couldn’t have been happier with this one.

[Andrew_L]

Sounds lovely. I’d also recommend the CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva if you can find it.

[Dennis_Atick]

Sounds awesome, Peter.
Happy Birthday.

@Andrew L.

Sounds lovely. I’d also recommend the CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva if you can find it.

Had the '54 Cune at Bern’s a couple years ago.
Stunner.

[Warren_Taranow]

Happy Birthday Peter! '54’s a good birth year for Riojas ('55 even better). The old GR’s can still be found in auctions at prices much less than older Bdx and Burgs (and automobiles).

But you need to get your hands on one of these 1954 beauties; nothing ages like vitis labrusca!

VINTAGE 1954 WELCH'S WINE (DISCONTINUED PRODUCT)

[Ken_V]

@Warren Taranow

Happy Birthday Peter! '54’s a good birth year for Riojas ('55 even better). The old GR’s can still be found in auctions at prices much less than older Bdx and Burgs (and automobiles).

But you need to get your hands on one of these 1954 beauties; nothing ages like vitis labrusca!

http://youtu.be/q0IZixIACgg

I’m a '54 as well. Thanks for that video. I’ll try to source some!

[Peter_Hirdt]

@Ken V

@Warren Taranow

Happy Birthday Peter! '54’s a good birth year for Riojas ('55 even better). The old GR’s can still be found in auctions at prices much less than older Bdx and Burgs (and automobiles).

But you need to get your hands on one of these 1954 beauties; nothing ages like vitis labrusca!

http://youtu.be/q0IZixIACgg

I’m a '54 as well. Thanks for that video. I’ll try to source some!

Don’t bother, I cleaned out every offer on Wine Searcher. Pricey but I now control the market.

[Brad_Kane]

@Peter Hirdt

@Ken V

@Warren Taranow

Happy Birthday Peter! '54’s a good birth year for Riojas ('55 even better). The old GR’s can still be found in auctions at prices much less than older Bdx and Burgs (and automobiles).

But you need to get your hands on one of these 1954 beauties; nothing ages like vitis labrusca!

http://youtu.be/q0IZixIACgg

I’m a '54 as well. Thanks for that video. I’ll try to source some!

Don’t bother, I cleaned out every offer on Wine Searcher. Pricey but I now control the market.

I remember when it was a competition between you and Plotnicki to corral all the '54 CVNE on the market.

[Peter_Hirdt]

@Brad Kane

I remember when it was a competition between you and Plotnicki to corral all the '54 CVNE on the market.

Yeah, you know how that worked out!

I think Knut was in that race as well. He finished second.

[J_Singleton]

And here I thought this thread was going to be about Jane Seymour.

[Dave_McIsaac]

Happy Birthday Peter

Is cornering the market a retirement funding strategy?

[Peter_Hirdt]

@Dave McIsaac

Happy Birthday Peter

Is cornering the market a retirement funding strategy?

Hah, I wish!

[Jay_Miller]

Happy birthday!