My daughter was born last year, but 2012 sucked horribly in Bordeaux. Chateau d’Yquem isn’t even bottling. Napa/Sonoma is looking really great in 2012 but not many wines can make it 21+ years from vintage. Ideally, I’d like to keep the /btl cost below $150. I know I’ve got a couple years but where should I be looking? My only idea is Corison Kronos Vineyard. Thoughts?
I’m in the same boat. Son born last year, looking for birth year wines. I’d say Ridge Monte Bello. Also, maybe try Dunn or Mayacamas.
I was just about to post a similar thread. I am getting married in August and am trying to figure out what to buy. I was thinking Ridge from California. Interested to hear thoughts on Germany, Italy, and Burgundy.
Burgundy will be hard, small crop and prices will no doubt be up again, quality seems to be good though.
For what it’s worth, Australia has had one of their best ever vintages, and almost country wide.
Have had a few early releases and the wines look great…
Clare and Eden Valley Rieslings under screwcap. The Barossa 2012 reds I have tasted from barrel have great intensity and balance, it is a great year in the valley.
You have years to decide, your ageworthy 2012 reds aren’t even bottled yet, and there is no way to know now what 2012 wines are the good ones and the ones with good aging potential, other than just guessing at brands with that general track record.
I think the issue is different for a wedding anniversary than for the birth year. As to birth years, I wonder what percentage of 21 year olds are really all that interested in old red wine (were you when you were 21?), even assuming you select something that will do well for that length of time. The safest thing would be fortified or dessert-type wines, that are both safer bets to age and are probably more likely to be something a 21 year old could drink and like.
But it also depends on how much of the exercise is for the child, versus just for your own fun and enjoyment down the road. If it’s mostly for the latter, then get whatever you like.
Dunn Howell Mountain would be one to keep on the radar in terms of age worthiness.
Ridge Monte Bello was suggested, and is supposedly outstanding, so there’s one no-brainer. 2012 Germany is supposedly excellent, so that could do the trick for some very long aging sweet wines.
Red Burg should bevery good!..and expensive. There will be very little white
Can’t say I trust Ridge or Dunn Howell Mountain (I would if these were 80’s/90’s but not these days), I’d look at Grand Cru red Burgundy if you have the budget for $200+ per bottle. If you buy the Napa Cabs I’d buy in Magnum.
I am surprised you would not trust Ridge. Are you suggesting there has been a significant stylistic change? I’ve had a fair number of older and newer Monte Bellos and I am not aware of any shift. I had an 81 a few months back that was beautiful - despite it not being a rock star vintage…
BTW - I am buying my normal 6 bottles this year and looking forward to them in the late 2020s and beyond.
I don’t get that either, for the Ridge or the Dunn.
I haven’t had any new release Dunn’s in quite some time, so I can’t say whether there has been a stylistic shift. I certainly have not heard that rumor. The older ones - particularly the howell mountain bottling are clearly long term aging wines.
There’s not much comparison between the 81’ you had recently and today’s wine. Still, I’d trust the Monte Bello over the Dunn (recently had an 87’ that showed great) but their wines have definitely shifted toward the riper of late. My point though is it’s still CA and in these modern times I wouldn’t risk it, especially in a warm year like 12’
The furthest anyone can go back is early 90’s (20+ years of age) and the style has changed considerably across the board in CA that I have a hard time believing Ridge is making wine in the exact same style as they did twenty years ago. I know the Zins are plenty riper, but you could make the argument they’re after a different audience with those.
They’re still age-worthy, but to have a 750 singing in 2033 in a warm year? Best to at least diversify with some old world regions.
My son happened to be born last year so I may by both a 750 and a Mag of the 12’ Monte Bello just to see what happens.
Cal Cab will be one of the best vintages in ages.
I also had a daughter born at the end of last year. I’ve already got Ridge Monte Bello futures lined up, and will monitor more purchases over the next few years. Germany sounds like a good idea. Also, I’m not necessarily buying these for the sake of my girls, but more for me. Just a way for me to reminisce on their birthdays, etc. If they end up liking wine (aged red wine, in particular), all the better. Hopefully some of them can last 18+ years.
Diamond Creek should be fine. Quilceda Creek will drink fine in 21 years as will Insignia.
A little too early to say on that… people are bagging on 2011 with most not even having tasted them. I think they’re gorgeous wines with nice depth, acidity and overall purity. Personally, I think 2011 will outlast 2012, which I’m finding to be almost 2008 like in their plushness. Going to be blockblusters on release - but I question their longevity.
I’d have no quarrel at all with holding onto a Hanzell. Nice track record and their style hasn’t changed too much. There’s also Oregon to consider, as they had a nice harvest. Santa Rita did very well judging off the fruit I worked with - maybe look at a producer like Arcadian?
There is also the classic standby whites from California - Smith Madrone Riesling is absolutely amazing with a few decades on it, and can be had for $25ish… same with Stony Hill Chardonnay.
Plenty of wines out there in a myriad of styles. I probably wouldn’t go off the winery/maker-du-jour but stick to the classic producers from California if you’re cautious about France.
Ya think? Barrel samples are already off the charts. Truly.
I got married in 2012 and have recently been thinking about this as well. Wouldn’t something like a Turley Petite Syrah Hayne last for 20+ years?