Now that my daughter is here, and I know what year she arrived in, it’s time to start thinking about the wines I intend to buy and store for her 21st birthday. I don’t normally buy wines to keep for that long, I’m more of the drink within 4-5 years of purchasing type of person, at the most. I have plenty of storage though, so it’s not inconceivable for me to store wine longer.
So 2010 wines that will age for at least 21 years. I’m thinking a mix of wines, though no less than a few bottles of each to account for any corked bottles. I’m definitely interested in some age-worthy stickies to have in the collection. Thoughts? Suggestions? Have any of you done this or plan to do this for your child(ren)?
Price is pretty flexible…I mean, I’m not looking at $500 bottles, but for something that you think would BLOW us away in 21 years, I’d be willing to spend up to about $100ish on a very special bottle or two.
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Wannabe Wino Wine Blog 
Congratulations on an adorable example of the 2010 vintage!
My standard advice to friends who ask about this:
– Wait a couple of years as some really good 2010 stuff gets released and evaluated. With luck there will be a great Champagne, Port, or Sauternes.
– Security is a big thing. During a tipsy dinner party, do you ever send a friend into the cellar to grab something at random? Any chance of a little teenage rebellion 16 years from now, justifying it with, “Well, it’s *MY* bottle, isn’t it? And I already said I was sorry for throwing up on the carpet.”
– For that reason, here’s my strategy should I ever father a child: spend two years figuring out what might work, looking out for crazy stuff like, maybe Cote-Rotie had its best vintage in a century, but isn’t often thought about for projects like this. Pick 3 different styles of wine from 3 vastly separate regions. Buy two of each. Store one of each at home, and the duplicates? Lock them in an insulated box and store with parents, a sibling, or someone you trust implicitly. That way you’ve got backup in case of theft, a house fire, or some other tragedy, But also, with six total bottles you’re really improving your chances that at least one of them will be great. And be sure to invite whoever held onto the wine for the 21st birthday party. 🙂
You know that PS will still be good! Vincent Arroyo’s Rattlesnake Acres will last forever…
Sean Thackrey’s Sirius… A Petite that will really age well, and well worth the money. I’d call Sean, because his Website is designed for visibility, not for sales. He’s an artist’s artist, and his wine is very cult. Sirius is a Petite, by the way… What a surprise, and very, very yummy. Also very small production. 415-250-1791
Tell him Jo Diaz sent you. He’ll get a kick out of that. I’ve given my grandson Jonathan a bottle for his 21st birthday, but if we enjoy it together earlier, I’ll be okay with that… like maybe 18 years old. LOL
I have no suggestions – other than Americans stop treating adults like children and lower the legal drinking age to 18…you then have 3 more years of the chance that the wine might be something Bridget wants to drink when she comes of age.
Thanks for the advice all! And Vinogirl, I wholeheartedly agree. I do live in a state that permits parents to give their children a beverage in their home after a certain age though. I think that’s at least a step in the right direction. I’d rather teach my child about the responsible use of alcohol at home then have them out sneaking around trying to find out what the big deal is as a teenager with a license.
This is a wonderful idea!
We did the same thing for our children, putting away 1979 and 1981 Cabs for special birthdays and events (18th, and 21st birthdays, high school and college graduations, weddings, etc.). Now I’m eager to learn what you will put away because of the birth of our 2010 granddaughter. We found that the $15 California SouveRain cabs purchased in 1983-1985 held up as well, if not better than more expensive choices. Go figure.