Looking for a 6-Pack of Anniversary Wines - Advice Needed

WINE TALK
1

My wife and I were married in 09’ and with our 5th anniversary coming up, we have thought about getting a 6-pack of nice wine and drink one every 5th anniversary for the next 25 years. Seems like a nice symbolism to track the progress of the wine along with ourselves right? Because of this, we want to be relatively sure the wine will evolve in pleasant ways over that time period, rather than falling to pieces or becoming completely disjointed, lest that become a metaphor for our marriage. [snort.gif]

I am looking for suggestions, here are the parameters:

$50-$115/btl - ish
2009 vintage
expected to improve and last until 2039

I like Bordeaux, but my wife may not be entirely sold on the more austere chateaus out there.
I like Burgundy, but I’m wary of any potential “shut-down” period, and in general Burgs are a minefield, not a sure thing.
We’ve traveled to Sonoma/Napa several times, and have been focusing our search there, but many 09’s may not have the life in them (correct me if wrong).

Open to anything really. Thanks!

As a side-note, Monte Bello seems like a good option, but a bit pricey due to the 98 from WA.

Also, we are planning on narrowing it down to a few options and PnP ing a few sample bottles to see what we like (the fun part) [cheers.gif]

2

Dusty, Monte Bello is a good, but pricey choice as you mentioned. You might also try giving Cathy Corison a call on her 09 “Kronos.”

3

While it may be tough to find a single wine that has that kind of drinking window, check out the 2009 Domaine de Chevalier and the 2009 Grand Puy Lacoste. I have not had the wines, although I do own the Chevalier, but the reviews and prices seem to fit your parameters.

4

What about a Sauternes?

5

Fantastic vintage in Montalcino, Brunello will be released early next year. They will go the distance with no problema…

6

^ was going to recommend the same. Fun to drink at all stages of development, never had one that shut down, generally age well, and it should be sweet like your marriage.

7

Good vintage in Nth Rhone. Wines like Jamet or Rostaing Cote Rotie of Clape Cornas should work well and may be avail in your price range?

Piedmont had a ripe year and should be more forward and thus good candidates for the early part of your drinking plans

Sauternes is a great suggestion as well.

Brodie

8

For Cali cabs that should live that long and are in budget/easily obtainable:

Spottswoode and Dunn jump quickly to mind.

I bet you could get them directly from the wineries, still, too.

I don’t know about availability, but the A Rafanelli wines all seem to do well over long periods, as well.

If you feel adventurous, Jensen pinots have long life-arcs and would be really fun to follow over that time period. I think they have a great style.

9

We’ve got a tradition similar to this - we do big celebration return to Yosemite, the site of our honeymoon on every fifth anniversary. For the first three rounds of that, all of the wine was from the wedding vintage. That’s a week’s worth of wine, minimum, which is usually a case to ensure coverage and variety. I didn’t buy a six pack of a specific wine, however. I’ve got multiples of some of the wines, but I think the only thing I have six of is Mount Eden Old Vines Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which is not the top wine of the bunch (but is really good and will likely be interesting over 30 years).

My first reaction to your plan was Monte Bello - if you had been on this plan back in 2009, you could have done futures and it would have been a safe sight-unseen bet for longevity and enjoyment. That being past, I’d recommend lining up for 2009 vintage Champagne when it comes into the market in the future. You’ll probably have the big guns declared for the vintage and you can plan your purchases ahead and shop for it. You’ll probably exceed $115 for the Tetes du Cuvees. If you want something slightly cheesy in the budget range, go for Calon Segur with the heart on the label. The wine is serious, even if it does have a bump in sales around Valentine’s Day.

Ultimately, the anniversary wines should be something that ties to your relationship. If you’ve got shared wine experiences that evoke fond memories, let that bias your selection.

Cheers,
fred

10

We open wines from our wedding year (2001) every year on our anniversary. For 2009, there’s no reason to limit it to every 5 years for a very long time. Plenty of good 2009s in the market and to generalize about a huge region, I believe in CA it’s a structured year with some aging potential, and plenty drinking well right now.

Dry Creek Valley was exceptional in 2009. Grab some reasonably priced zins and you’re set for the next decade. If you can find any Bedrock 2009 Lorenzo’s, grab and hold onto that.

N. Rhône it’s a ripe year that I’ve found to be approachable early. S. Rhône it’s a ripe year but not so much as 2007 or 2003, and not as tannic as 2005. Plenty of good to be found there.

I’d recommend you grab some Sauternes on the off chance you end up married longer than your 30-year target [wink.gif]

11

For the price of 6 Monte Bello you could make it a case and get 6 each of the Mount Eden cab and pinot. But there are so many choices. You’re fortunate in that 2009 was a good if not great year in so many regions. My wedding year was 1987 so I don’t have as many choices - mostly Cali cab.

12

This was going to be my suggestion as well (though I’m not a Rostaing fan). Clape, Allemand, Jamet, would be my choices. Definitely pick up a bottle or two of 09 Monte Bello. A wine I know will go the distance is Lagier-Meredith syrah (because everything they’ve made has still been too young when it hit the 10 year mark).

13

outside the box
Mosel

14

2009 Flor de Pingus

15

Dusty:

Lots of good suggestions already mentioned. For California Cabs, Monte Bello, Dunn HM and Forman immediately come to mind. Monte Bello is now above your price range though. Forman Cabs age deceptively well. A friend opened a 1987 last summer and it was still going strong.

Some good choices with Bordeaux, also. Wines I have personally tried and bought that are in your price range include Domaine De Chevalier, Gruaud Larose, Grand Puy Lacoste and Branaire Ducru. For Sauternes, Climens and Coutet are outstanding, as well as Suduiraut.

And, if you are looking at Vintage Port, Taylor Fladgate is outstanding!

Thanks,
Ed

16

All day long!

My wife and I love to pop special bottles on our anniversary, which almost always involves Sauternes or Champagne, many times both. You can buy a great six pack of Sauternes that will both taste great now and later. Not a whole lot of special wines give you that flexibility.

17

Allemand is a fantastic choice for classic Norther Rhone syrah that can go the distance. It’s about $120. Clape, after Parker ruined it with a 99 rating, is running $250.

Damnit, Alan, I need to drink with you as I agree with just about every wine post you make!,

18

I like the suggestions above for either:

Mt Eden
Spottswoode

19

Squeeze your budget a bit ;2009 Dominus :
Robert Parker: 97 Points
Wine Advocate #204 Dec 2012 Antonio Galloni 97 Drink: 2019 - 2039 $149-$275 (179) The 2009 Dominus has closed down quite a bit since I last tasted it. Today, all of the glorious fruit of the vintage is hiding behind a serious wall of tannin. The 2009 still possesses gorgeous inner perfume and plenty of sweetness, but little of the sexiness that will emerge over time. From time to time, the utter genius of the 2009 shows a glimpse of its potential. There is little doubt the 2009 will be a jewel once it awakens from what might very well be a long slumber. This is another wine that begs for patience. The 2009 is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.

20

buy a case of 2009 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero and wait 10 years before opening any.