Have you decided upon an age....

WINE TALK
1

…at which you’ll stop buying wine?

I really haven’t, although regarding Bordeaux, and the age at which I like to drink it, coupled with the frequency I drink it - I no longer buy Bordeaux. But that’s the only wine type I’ve reached a decision on. I’ll be 46 this week.

Fo

2

At 48, John, I think about this quite a bit. The last Bordeaux vintage I bought with reckless abandon was 2005. I bought a smattering of '09s and some selective '10s. Given how the '11-'13 vintages are shaping up, I could be out of the Bordeaux game at the high end, except for some very select purchases. I’m much better of backfilling, and candidly, some of the prices on more mature wines are comparable to new release prices. After popping a 2010 Clape Cornas Renaissance recently, I’m even thinking I will not be a buyer in future, monolithic vintages of other regions that take 20 years to hit their stride. That Clape was a bit of a revelation, causing me to pass on some recent offerings of some other favorite wines that take similarly long periods to mature. About half of my purchases since then have been backfills. As I currently sit, my collection is a bit young anyway.

3

I suspect at 68, you won’t think yourself ancient and unable to appreciate great wine.

At 28, I am sure it was hard to imagine yourself at 48.

Don’t punish your future self!

4

Well, here’s the funny thing: My Dad got me in to wine; he had a very sophisticated, old-world palate. Last five years, he’s 73 now, he’s gone full-on modern. Loves the '07 CDPs and big-ass Zins, Malbecs and even went back to Cabs. He’s gone toward a more fruit-forward style and higher alcohol. Sound like anyone else we know? [Dad and I even share the same name with that other guy. . . .]

:wink:

5

I can’t imagine not buying wine, but I have shifted my buying priorities as I age - the last vintage in Barolo that I really “carpet-bombed” was 2001, although I have bought some odds & ends since then. We buy a lot more wine from Tuscany (especially Chianti) because of the broader drinking window, and I’m always buying whites because we don’t usually hold them.

6

I’m nearly 48 like Robert and stopped last year. With 600 btls still in the cellar and down to one wine drinking day a week I realized I was good for now. I did need to acquire new hobbies though to help with this money bleeding disease I suffer from.

7

I’ll definitely stop when I’m dead. @ 53 I have gotten worse rather than better.

8

Im with you Brian, half the fun is the conquest! Cant wait to see the look on my wifes face when I get a delivery from some winery on the day of my funeral!
I think maybe as we age our senses gradually dull therefore I can see why we might start liking the bigger wines again. Lord knows I have many of those still in the cellar from earlier buying patterns.

9

I’m 35, and no. Maybe in a couple of decades I’ll think about it.

10

I’m trying to slow down now at 50. Looking for only a few bottles of each as opposed to case or 6 pack quantities. the hard part is now I’m back filling more than ever.

11

I can’t see the reason to stop at this point.

12

Funny. 53 isn’t old. Depending on your tastes. Hence my example with Bordeuax.

13

Well, that’s another thing I have thought of. Piedmont. I like B&B older. Which is why I have loved the approachability of 2008. I’ve probably bought 2 cases of 2008 and have wines going back to 1996 and a few 1990s left. I may be done buying Piedmont too.

14

These are fair points, but I don’t think at 68 I’ll be able to drink at the pace I do now. When I am drinking samples (or not) for a blog article I’m doing, I may have wines 5-6 nights in a row. I can’t see that continuing. But your point is valid. 20 years ago I was only 25, and life sure looks a lot different now.

15

I’m 48 and cannot imagine making the subject decision. My father is 75 and continues buying wine.

16

Interesting Robert. Do you think about this only related to Bordeaux. I have 1995 and 2000’s in good quantity. Plus, a spattering of 1996 and older wines. I probably only drink 2-4 bottles of Bordeaux per year, so I’m good with that area.

17

Maybe this should be obvious, but what do you mean by backfilling? Buying mature stuff at auction?

18

But not caring if he leaves it for someone? Correct?

19

when you buy wine aged and ready to drink, this is far less of a concern. i suspect i will someday apply that approach if necessary, but that is decades from now.

20

Fred Alfert?
Sam Alfert?

I don’t get it [wink.gif]

We’re 52 and are certainly changing our buying patterns. I’d rather backfill GC Burgs rather than buy '12s. I’m an optimist (and from a family of longevity) but I have to spend my money carefully.