Request: what to buy, but let age 21 years

The baby was born this year, yes? Maybe a future on a premium Bordeaux? The wine won;t arrive for a coule more years - but when they do open - presumably on the lads 21st - it will be 21 years old ---- just like him (or her).

Go with a mixed 1/2 case of bigger Zins and Shiraz. You'll probably go over $100, but rolling the dice on one bottle in today's winemaking world is risky.

Obviously you can't do a 2006, as nothing is released yet.

If the parents aren't w> I would like to give a gift of a bottle of wine to the parents of a > newborn.

Hi Sean, good to see you posting here.

Got to say I think Zins and big Shiraz would be a disappointment on average after 20 years. Much as I enjoy them young or even with a few years of age.

I think a port is a good idea, or I'd maybe consider a great Coteaux du Layon. No problem on the price and can stand up to less than perfect handling. As to what's available that would depend on local market conditions, as usual.

-E

snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net wrote in news:jr2bj25fpqfgp50c7sr50ulpps11cpjai6@

As an aside, this subject would be a good addition to the FAQ... d.

Where are you located?

State that is.

d., very true, a subject that comes up often.

enoavidh wrote:

"I would like to give a gift of a bottle of wine to the parents of a newborn, or buy a birthyear wine to put down for my son or daughter."

There are no ageworthy wines that will be released within the year of the vintage. The first barrel tastings would occur the following year, and release probably the year after that (longer for some wines). There might be Southern Hemisphere wines (maybe harvested in April) with barrel tastings within the year, but they wouldn't be released. For a gift, you might try to think of another recent year that has significance for the parent (anniversary, perhaps). If the parents aren't wine people, with real wine storage, Madiera would be safest bet. Next best would be Vintage Port. Sweet Loires are another category that stand abuse better than most. Even those would benefit from a cool basement. But ageable dry wines (Bordeaux, Piedmont, Burgundy, CalCab, etc) and offdry white wines (Germans, Loires) are almost certain to be ruined if stored in a closet. If they have better storage there are many possibilities, feel free to ask on group as to what was good in a particular year. Another possibility might be a mixed case, to increase the probability of something doing well for 21 years.

As to wines to lay down for a child, as noted it will be tough to have even nominal information till following year. Then you can look at what classic agers (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Piedmont, California Cabernet, Australian wines such as Grange, Port, German or Austrian Rieslings, Loire sweet wines, Rhones, etc) did well in that year and decide based on your budget. Again, storage will be critical.

The vast majority of wines won't last that long.

What a wonderful gift.

As a father of three and grandfather of two, I suspect that those parents would really get the most enjoyment from the wine if they could share it, possibly with you right now. For the $100.00 you could put together a nice celebration package of two bottles of good local wine, cheeses, etc., in a wicker basket made up with some baby things. Twenty one years is a long time and a lot of moves and the child will most likely be away at college.

"DaleW" wrote ...........

With tongue firmly in cheek ;-)

Plenty of 2006 wine from Southern Hemisphere has been released.

Of course, whether any of this is ageworthy is another question.

I have heard a similar story of a father buying a few cases of a good wine the year his daughter was born then storing it until her wedding. Although the father also owned a resaurant with a large cellar and much experience storing wines. still a great idea in my opinion.

-tomw

snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net wrote:

Mad_ei_ra.

M.

Thanks everyone for the wonderful ideas and suggestions so far, I really do appreciate all the input and comments!!

Here's a bit more info...

The child is due to be born March 2007. I wanted to plan ahead to get some ideas of what I should purchase and have the bottle bought before the baby arrives. Especially, if I need to place an order, if the wine(s) I decide upon, is/are not available locally.

It doesn't matter to me what vintage the wine is (whether it is his or her birth year or not doesn't really matter). The wine could already be an older wine, and perhaps will be even better 21 years from now. The year of the wine is not what will hold the significance. I want it to be 'a special gift' that was given to him or her on the day of his or her birth to be enjoyed on the 21st birthday.

I'm looking for recommendations of what I should purchase that will be good or even better 21 years from now (keeping in mind, that the wine may already currently be brand new or 10 years old or 20 years old....etc...doesn't matter).

We're located in SouthEastern Michigan.

The parents aren't wine people or knowledgeable on proper storage for such a length of time (21 years). I know that storage is critical and I may ask this group for suggestions on storage also (after I finish reading the FAQ first). I am quite confident that the parents Will do what is proper storage-wise with the wine, after they are instructed with what must be done with it.

As for just drinking the wine now with the parents, I'm sure there are bound to be several toasts. :-) But, the bottle I want to give as a gift, is specifically for the child to enjoy (at age 21).

(As an aside, I had some wine in at a restaurant in Toronto that was really good. I wanted to buy some when we got back home, but I was not able to find Any in Michigan! I had buy it on line and have it shipped to Michigan! It was: New Zealand Vineyard Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc I wonder why that particular wine is Not available anywhere in SouthEastern Michigan...?)

Anyway, thanks once again to everyone!!

Since the people you give the wine aren't wine people with correct storage facilities, I would strongly recommend against all table wine, including Bordeaux.

Get a bottle of Vintage Madeira, this can stand up at room temperature easily for the next 21 years without the slightest problem. "Standing" is meant literally: Madeira bottles are never stored on their side.

M.