The top wines in your cellar
#211
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Southwest A-List Preferred
Posts: 2,846
Without commenting on the specific 98 vintage, which as stated above I have yet to taste, in my experience the drinking windows of most all top French wines are grossly exaggerated. Its if the last (and only) thing that France wants to do the best than any other wine region is to make wines that will last "forever"....
Personally, I think a lot of wines can last far longer than most people think. Some recent bottles of 1978 Cru Beaujolais (Vissoux), 1961 Musigny (Berry Brothers), 1937 sauternes (La Tour Blanche), 1952 & 1959 Champagne (Pol Roger), were all showing wonderfully. I don't think France WANTS to create wine that takes forever to mature, that's just bad business. Just look at the stylistic changes in the wines of Bordeaux and the Rhone over the past 20 years. They're all much more fruit forward and accessible in their youth. The changes have been purposeful as it allows them to be easier to enjoy young.
#212
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,086
#214
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 566
73 Latour is a favourite, but i'm pretty much all over 82 First Growth Bordeaux's. I think Margaux and Latour are the best value in the price range, Latife can get expensive.
Got a lot of very good stuff, but falling short on what i would call excellent and really interesting wine.
http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/...wnload-5-1.jpg
Got a lot of very good stuff, but falling short on what i would call excellent and really interesting wine.
http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/...wnload-5-1.jpg
#215
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
73 Latour is a favourite, but i'm pretty much all over 82 First Growth Bordeaux's. I think Margaux and Latour are the best value in the price range, Latife can get expensive.
Got a lot of very good stuff, but falling short on what i would call excellent and really interesting wine.
http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/...wnload-5-1.jpg
Got a lot of very good stuff, but falling short on what i would call excellent and really interesting wine.
http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/...wnload-5-1.jpg
#216
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1PMM; JetSmarter; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,723
I still have at least a bottle of each of the above left, except the 88 Yquem, but since have added to top wines:
64 Cheval Blanc
75, 76, 90 Yquem
89 Haut Brion & Haut Brion Blanc (Palais de l'Elysee)
And a couple Coche Dury & Roumier.
Those are the never-touch except for very special occasion wines.
#217
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
#218
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Wellington, Florida
Programs: Delta Plat, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 830
I have a wine in my wine cooler that I'm sure is no good anymore. I just could never bring myself to drink it. My husband received a bottle of Harlan Estates 1992 Napa Valley red wine. It came as a hostess gift for my husband's 40th birthday. I just loved the label, so I never drank it. Crazy...
#219
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 738
I have a wine in my wine cooler that I'm sure is no good anymore. I just could never bring myself to drink it. My husband received a bottle of Harlan Estates 1992 Napa Valley red wine. It came as a hostess gift for my husband's 40th birthday. I just loved the label, so I never drank it. Crazy...
#221
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
That said, unless you have had even basic proper storage for this wine (cool, dark, non-fluctuating temperature in the 60's or lower) this wine needs to be enjoyed now. If it's in a closet somewhere at room temps, you could easily be on the downside already. If it has been in your wine cooler all this time that's better. Regardless, I'd drink it soon - nothing to be gained and a lot to be lost by pushing it beyond the twenty year mark...
#222
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
The wonderful thing about your situation is that the label will still be lovely AFTER you drink the contents of the bottle.
That said, unless you have had even basic proper storage for this wine (cool, dark, non-fluctuating temperature in the 60's or lower) this wine needs to be enjoyed now. If it's in a closet somewhere at room temps, you could easily be on the downside already. If it has been in your wine cooler all this time that's better. Regardless, I'd drink it soon - nothing to be gained and a lot to be lost by pushing it beyond the twenty year mark...
That said, unless you have had even basic proper storage for this wine (cool, dark, non-fluctuating temperature in the 60's or lower) this wine needs to be enjoyed now. If it's in a closet somewhere at room temps, you could easily be on the downside already. If it has been in your wine cooler all this time that's better. Regardless, I'd drink it soon - nothing to be gained and a lot to be lost by pushing it beyond the twenty year mark...
#223
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
I have a wine in my wine cooler that I'm sure is no good anymore. I just could never bring myself to drink it. My husband received a bottle of Harlan Estates 1992 Napa Valley red wine. It came as a hostess gift for my husband's 40th birthday. I just loved the label, so I never drank it. Crazy...
#224
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: JFK,ATL,LGA (the rest of the world follows)
Programs: DL KM/DM/2MM (NH Plat emeritus, CO Plat emeritus, and no place like home)
Posts: 3,190
The only one really worth a special highlight is probably a '83 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles. There is a '09 Château Haut-Bailly that will be the top one in few years, but it so far sits in a cooler, away from home, and waits...
#225
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: JFK,ATL,LGA (the rest of the world follows)
Programs: DL KM/DM/2MM (NH Plat emeritus, CO Plat emeritus, and no place like home)
Posts: 3,190
Maybe there should be a new category
"The top wine in your cellar that you won't feel bad about drinking at home with a casual dinner tonight, even if others would say it is one that should be opened for a better reason"
"The top wine in your cellar that you won't feel bad about drinking at home with a casual dinner tonight, even if others would say it is one that should be opened for a better reason"