I’d like to pick the brains of all you wine experts! Having a “fine wine” event on Wednesday and I am tasked to bring a bottle; which of the following would be the most “ready” for opening at this stage (August 2019)?
don’t want to do infanticide especially if it can develop much more. I’m learning towards (4) or (6) since I can buy them where I am at easily; the rest are a bit more expensive to replace…
Frankly opening any of them would be infanticide so to speak. None of these wines were released more than 2-3 years ago.
That said, sometimes wines will show surprisingly well on release. I’d go with #5 or 6. The produttori is pretty tight last I tasted it, but it’s the least expensive on your list. The Pio Cesare might not yet be shut down.
I’d advise against decanting as that could cause them to shut down too.
I too would lean towards the PdB. The '13s all risk being tight and tannic at this point. I would look at the '12s as second choices, with a slight lean towards the Roagna. I actually have the '12 Roagna Paje teed up to try soon as I wanted some exposure to the style/vintage. Not sure if I’ll get to it before Wednesday.
That pdb was quite nice on release though could have closed since. That would also be my pick and I would pnp since it is at risk of closing with a long decant at this age.
Ugh, why so early? Though call to open any of these bottles prior to their prime drinking window. At gun point I would confer with previous posts and settle for PdB.
This, although while the Produttori might be lighter than the surrounding PdB vintages, it still is a rather tightly-knit one and built for the long haul. I’d rather keep it.
I just started collecting wines so I don’t have anything in my cellar with age. My first strategy for these events is to buy an older bottle from a retailer. I don’t know where you live, but winesearcher.com will show you local retailers who have a given wine. You could pick any of the wines you listed, change the vintage and search for a store close to you. They will probably have it in their warehouse so you wouldn’t see it on their shelf if you walked through the store. If you buy it tonight, you should be able to pick it up by Wednesday. Pricing is all over the place, but it helps in a pinch.
Since I’m 57, I stopped buying wines to age that are vintage after 2010. I can buy wines from our local wine store to drink soon. I can also find bargains there on older champagne and Spanish reds which I like. I have just started a foray into Winebid.com for older wines. This will enable me to have some older wines to share and for occasional opening with my wife.
Sounds like you are are curious about it, possibly considering buying more. Go for it! Buy at least another one for replacement so you can try it with a bit more age down the road
Which to open? Treat yourself to a great Champagne. Which is another way of saying that the aforementioned, save the PdB, which will show nicely but not wonderfully, are many, many years away from true enjoyment. Patience isn’t always so easy
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