Comments on: Vintage Dr. Vino: Finding birth year wines in Food & Wine magazine

By: Michelle McCue

Michelle McCue — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:57:21 +0000

I think the idea of the parents storing a case until the child’s 21st birthday is a great idea. Beyond that, you might be talking about a serious investment in order to ensure the wine is still drinkable. On the other hand, who cares if it’s drinkable? I sort of like the idea of keeping it indefinitely. I’m not usually much for keeping trophy wines just to have them on display - wine is food, after all, and should be consumed - but there are the occasional exceptions.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:50:41 +0000

Thanks, great suggestions, I will see if my local shoppe has any.

If you will allow me to pick your brain a little more, which may require you to dig deeper for obscure information, my boss works in early childhood advocacy, and has a history in politics. Can you think of any nice French with an appropriate name or label? I remember a few years ago there was a wine from Costieres de Nimes that had a label designed by children. Of course it was only about $12.

By: Dr. Vino

Dr. Vino — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:03:09 +0000

Indeed, the 07s aren’t yet off the vine, let alone in the bottle!

Sadly, you can’t get a 1945 for $100 despite it being an excellent year in Bordeaux.

How bout one of the lovely 2000s? Pontet-Canet? Lagrange? Those about about $70 - $80.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:23:22 +0000

I’m getting a bottle of wine for my boss’ wedding, but he was born in ‘45. What are the chances of finding anything drinkable from that year?! And the good Doctor suggested a bottle from the year of their wedding–this year–but that’s a little young. I’d like to spend around $80 or so. Any other suggestions?

By: GI Jane

GI Jane — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:48:30 +0000

On the weekend of the Coonawarra Caberenet Festival in October 2006, I attended the Barrel Cellar Dinner at Wynns. I was lucky enough to try their 1982 Cabernet that night. It was a special bottle, made even more magical by the fact that I was surrounded by some of my very best mates! (The 1965 we tried was also wonderful, but I was slightly more wowed by the ‘82, being of that vintage myself.) Cheers!

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:30:53 +0000

I have to chime in since ‘83 is my birthyear as well.

I hear the sauterne’s were pretty good that year, but so far I’ve managed to collect a horizontal of ports from that year.

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:10:38 +0000

Ryan - Contact Roberto at WineExpo in LA - I’m sure he can get it for you.
(re: I had my eye on a bottle of Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d Abruzzo 1979 for a few months, but my local wine store sold it, any advice for another ‘79?

By: KyNam

KyNam — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:10:54 +0000

Thanks much Dini! I will keep my eye out for a choice ‘83 in good shape from margaux.

By: Alan Wax

Alan Wax — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:10:22 +0000

Great piece. Last year, I acquired a birth year wine (1949 Riesling Spatlese, Niersteiner Schnappenberg, Schmitt) at an Acker Merrall auction for $160. Despite what they told you, there are usually a few available each month at the online auction. Just remember to figure in the 19 percent commission and shipping. I am waiting for the big one, two years from now, to pop the cork. Fortunately, ‘49 was a good year in Germany and Bordeaux, but most of the Bordeaux sell for $100 more than the Rieslings.

By: Dini

Dini — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:28:06 +0000

‘83 was a great vintage in the commune of Margaux in Bordeaux and many believe (including me) that the ‘83 Palmer and Chateau Margaux are better than the ’82s.
As for ‘79, another outstanding Ygrec vintage, but that can be difficult to find. I have a bottle I might be willing to sell you for your 30th. Yquem was also good and easier to find. ‘79 Cheval Blanc is very good, and all the Rhone Valley wines from good producers I’ve had have been tasty ’79s. As you know, many Italians including some great Tuscan wines are options as well. Enjoy.

By: Julie Brosterman

Julie Brosterman — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:09:50 +0000

I wrote about this very topic back in May when I was facing the challenge of a 50th bday of one of our dearest friends. Alas, an Armagnac bottled in ‘57 was the best that I could do.

By: KyNam

KyNam — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:49:19 +0000

Dr. Vino, great article! I haven’t given much thought into birth year wines aside from the anecdotes here and there from friends who have had some for their 21st birthdays. It just so happens I’m 1983 as well. I’m a big fan of cabs and Bordeaux. Does anyone have any personal favorites? Thanks!

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:50:45 +0000

Tyler, I loved the article! I just enjoyed a bottle of 1983 Newton Unfiltered Cab…it was fantastic! Oh, in case I forgot to mention, 1983 was the year I was born and I drank it on my birthday to celebrate! Cheers and see you soon!

By: Jo Diaz

Jo Diaz — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:19:17 +0000

Sean Thackery gifted me a couple bottles of his Petite Sirah, when I started the PS I Love You group. They just arrived in the mail without nary a word. I thought, “What? There must be some mistake?” Being the honest spirit that I am, I called him to find out how to return them. He told me to keep them, they were for my enjoyment. There were (mine’s long gone) his 2000 Sirius. He told me he calls it Sirius, because it’s serious wine. I found out(naive at the time)that it was indeed serious, so I gifted the second bottle to my grandson, who was born in the year 2000. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be having the next one in 2018. (Yes, an 18 year old can sit with his grandmother and enjoy a Sirius bottle of wine and great conversation!)

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:46:19 +0000

I had my eye on a bottle of Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d Abruzzo 1979 for a few months, but my local wine store sold it, any advice for another ‘79?