Wine good enough to retire for?
June 27, 2010 10:18 PM Subscribe
Winefilter: My boyfriend's dad is retiring in three years and would like to buy a bottle of wine to save and then drink when he retires. He's looking for suggestions!
His criteria:
-red wine
-French
-under $200
-ideally something carried by BC Liquor Stores: http://www.bcliquorstores.com/products
-if not at BC Liquor Stores then something we can find in Vancouver, BC
In the past he has liked the Duboeuf Beaujolais, as well as heavier reds like Zinfandel, Cab-Sav, and Cab-Franc. Fruitiness is a plus ;) Thanks for your suggestions!
His criteria:
-red wine
-French
-under $200
-ideally something carried by BC Liquor Stores: http://www.bcliquorstores.com/products
-if not at BC Liquor Stores then something we can find in Vancouver, BC
In the past he has liked the Duboeuf Beaujolais, as well as heavier reds like Zinfandel, Cab-Sav, and Cab-Franc. Fruitiness is a plus ;) Thanks for your suggestions!
That's just Beaujolais Nouveau. There's lots more to Beaujolais than the three-months-old stuff, although the Nouveau is fun to guzzle and wonderful for poaching fruit.
But no, I'd recommend a red Burgundy, which would basically be a French wine from the Burgundy region, made mostly with pinot noir grapes and possibly some other stuff blended in. It's fruity, it's red, it's rich, it's complex, and you can get a bottle of grand cru (the really good stuff) from around 2006 or 2007 for just under $200.00, and it'll be just perfect in a few years.
posted by infinitywaltz at 11:03 PM on June 27, 2010
But no, I'd recommend a red Burgundy, which would basically be a French wine from the Burgundy region, made mostly with pinot noir grapes and possibly some other stuff blended in. It's fruity, it's red, it's rich, it's complex, and you can get a bottle of grand cru (the really good stuff) from around 2006 or 2007 for just under $200.00, and it'll be just perfect in a few years.
posted by infinitywaltz at 11:03 PM on June 27, 2010
Go into the Cambie St. store, which is the biggest in the province, and speak to a consultant. They are well educated and helpful. I would lean towards French or Italian.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 1:19 AM on June 28, 2010
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 1:19 AM on June 28, 2010
I'd say go for a proper Claret. How about this one from Saint-Emilion? Chateau Troplong Mondot.
I should think it will be nice in three years if you store it properly; it fits your price bracket and sounds like good value to me (disclaimer: never tasted it).
I must admit that the trivial point that really clinches it for me is the name Troplong - a wine called 'too long' might be right for a retirement.
posted by Phanx at 2:03 AM on June 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
I should think it will be nice in three years if you store it properly; it fits your price bracket and sounds like good value to me (disclaimer: never tasted it).
I must admit that the trivial point that really clinches it for me is the name Troplong - a wine called 'too long' might be right for a retirement.
posted by Phanx at 2:03 AM on June 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Is three years really enough time for a wine to appreciably age?
posted by reddot at 8:42 AM on June 28, 2010
posted by reddot at 8:42 AM on June 28, 2010
Yeah, three years is irrelevant for a fine French wine. You've already picked your shop; go in and explain what you're looking for. For <$200 I'd look for a 2000 Bordeaux. Burgundy is lovely too but significantly more expensive.
posted by Nelson at 8:53 AM on June 28, 2010
posted by Nelson at 8:53 AM on June 28, 2010
weapons-grade pandemonium's suggestion is a good one, the consultant can advise you on a good choice. The Liquor Stores can always order a wine for you if they don't have it in stock.
posted by arcticseal at 9:19 AM on June 28, 2010
posted by arcticseal at 9:19 AM on June 28, 2010
2009 is turning out to be an excellent year for Bordeaux. Perhaps a Beychevelle? The risk with Bordeaux is that if you pick the wrong one it may still be quite young in three years.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:34 AM on June 28, 2010
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:34 AM on June 28, 2010
I'd say no to 06 Troplong; not top form from there and pretty heavy price tag (released when the euro was 1.5 to the dollar). You can do a lot of damage for 200 dollars and if you plan on drinking the wine in 8 years (2018), I'd recommend some classified growths from 00, 03 and 05.
Here's a list of wines I'd recommend (I've had them all recently) for Bordeaux. They are all under 200 dollars stateside, so I apologize if you cannot find them in Canada and/or if they are above 200 up there (they usually are inflated anywhere from 15-45%):
2000 - Pichon Baron
2001 - La Mission Haut Brion, Pavie
2003 - Pontet Canet (cheap), Leoville Poyferre
2005 - Pape Clement, Malescot St Exupery (modern style), Rauzan-Segla, Pavie Macquin, Pontet Canet
If you'd like other suggestions for the Rhone, I'd be happy to provide as well just PM me.
Make sure you store the wines properly, otherwise it'll be a waste (consistently above 70F will degrade the fruit in the long term).
posted by Hurst at 10:05 AM on June 28, 2010
Here's a list of wines I'd recommend (I've had them all recently) for Bordeaux. They are all under 200 dollars stateside, so I apologize if you cannot find them in Canada and/or if they are above 200 up there (they usually are inflated anywhere from 15-45%):
2000 - Pichon Baron
2001 - La Mission Haut Brion, Pavie
2003 - Pontet Canet (cheap), Leoville Poyferre
2005 - Pape Clement, Malescot St Exupery (modern style), Rauzan-Segla, Pavie Macquin, Pontet Canet
If you'd like other suggestions for the Rhone, I'd be happy to provide as well just PM me.
Make sure you store the wines properly, otherwise it'll be a waste (consistently above 70F will degrade the fruit in the long term).
posted by Hurst at 10:05 AM on June 28, 2010
This is a weird question in that OP seems to be saying contradictory things. If he likes plain old Duboeuf Bojo its doubtful he'll be into modern style Bordeaux. And he likes "Heavy Reds like Zinfandel, Cab Sav and Cab Franc" one of these things is not like the other - the Cab Franc.
If it is the Beaujolais/Gamay/Cab Franc thing that he likes (Fruity, acid, lower alcohol) then don't do the Bordeaux suggestions. As other have said buying a current release and holding it for 3 years is kind of pointless.
What year did he begin his career? You would probably be able to pick up some older Rioja or Barolo from that year for under $200.
posted by JPD at 11:02 AM on June 28, 2010
If it is the Beaujolais/Gamay/Cab Franc thing that he likes (Fruity, acid, lower alcohol) then don't do the Bordeaux suggestions. As other have said buying a current release and holding it for 3 years is kind of pointless.
What year did he begin his career? You would probably be able to pick up some older Rioja or Barolo from that year for under $200.
posted by JPD at 11:02 AM on June 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Has he tried the South American varieties? Malbec is a beautiful wine.
posted by Gilbert at 10:37 PM on June 27, 2010