In honor of my son's birth this past year (2007), I would like to by a case of his birth year vinatge and drink a celebratory bottle at different milestones in his life. I realize that 2007 wines won't be bottled or released for several months or years from now, but I'm curious if anyone here has a suggestion on something to keep an eye out for. Clearly I'm looking for a wine that will age well - I'd like to be able to drink a bottle with him on his 21st birthday and not have it be completely lifeless. Early reports say the northern California vintage should be good - maybe as strong as 2001.
Thoughts?

This may help - some domestic and international breakdowns

http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Fe...7,4176,00.html
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Fe...7,4179,00.html

Parts 1 and 2

There are people in Caneros saying it's the best vintage in 100 years for pinots, and some of Dry Creen vineyards are saying their Zin is the best in five dozen years.

You won't be able to purchase it for a few years, unless you are buying futures at some of the ultra hard to get stuff, so you have plenty of time for barrel tasting to find something.

Do you have appropriate storage space -- cool, dark, etc? If not, you either need to get a good place to store your investment, or forget about keeping it for 21 years. Too often one sees a cheap wine pulled from a cabinet over the refrigerator, or next to the furnace ( ! ), and people wonder why the wine didn't age well.

I'm hearing pretty good news regarding the 2007 vintage, but you'll have to hang tight ... the 2005's are just now being released. If recent history has any bearing, though, you might want to consider Washington State. Quilceda Creek has earned scores of 98, 100, 100, and 99 since 2001. The 2005 just went on sale today (and disappeared almost as quickly, though it will be available on some auction sites at marked-up prices). This winery is famous for making wines that seem to start to hit their peak after a decade and tend to want to last almost forever.

So, you want age-ability? Try a magnum (1.5liter) of Quilceda Creek, or perhaps magnums of Chateau Montelena, Dunn, Ridge Montebello, etc. from California ... when you take a premium, built-for-age wine and put it in a larger bottle format, you tend to wind up with something that can go the distance!

that's a good thought. i'm a big fan of the Ridge zins, but haven't ponied up for a bottle of Monte Bello yet.

has the Ridge stuff gotten better lately? The last Monte I had was pretty weak, I think it was an 02, but can't recall exactly.

From what I've learned, '07 indeed was a good season, many vintners have been very pleased with the consistency of the harvest.

IMHO, you don't need to spend money on the "cult cabs" or the big gun California wineries to get stuff that is excellent and age worthy, seek out some bargains.

If you do see Quilceda Creek Cab though, you should buy it. I had a bottle of the '97 over the holidays and it was pretty amazing.

Same for the 98, which I enjoyed this weekend.

Was it ready to drink or could it have used a few more years? I've got a few bottles of the 98/99/00/01 sitting here but am scared to drink them.

I am surprised that no one has suggested that you wait another 2 years to see whether 2007 will be a declared vintage for Port. Vintage Port can easily last 21 years and much longer. A case should get your son through university and the birth of his offspring. Top houses to consider are Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca, Graham's, Dow's and Warre's.

Other wines which can last twenty years or include the great sweet wines of the Loire such as Moulin Touchais or Hungarian Tokaji Aszu Eszencia. Not to everyone's taste, I'll admit but for long term aging, I'll pick them over Bordeaux or California.

If you are concerned about long term storage, find out whether there is a temperature controlled wine storage facilities in your region.

If long term storage is not possible, you may wish to consider forgoing buying a case now and invest the money for decade or more to buy one or some of the following closer to your son's 21st birthday:

Vintage dated cognac (Producers include Hine, Godet and Remy Martin)
Vintage dated armagnac (Producers include De Montal)
Vintage dated single malt (Producers such as Glenfarclas or Highland Park.)

I don't think anyone mentioned Port because the OP didn't mention Port..