12 Wines Every Man Must Own
Pour it, Store it, or Hoard it
By Jeffery Lindenmuth
Unlike, say, chocolate milk, wine doesn’t come conveniently stamped with a date that tells you when to drink it. While most wines are indeed ready to drink on release, others will improve with age, if given the proper care. Here are 12 of our favorite current releases, whether you’re looking to swirl your glass 20 seconds from now — or 20 years.
Pour It
These wines have the half-life of a Happy Meal: Drink them sometime after you’ve parked the car but before the next quarterly economic reports hit. Most white wines and everyday reds, which are generally simple wines priced under 20 bucks, fall into this “drink now” category.
J Vineyards; Pinot Gris 2006; $20
Made from the same grape as Pinot Grigio, it has more character than many Italian labels, with a feel that’s as plump and plush as down comforter and hints of pineapple, mango, and honeysuckle, with a crisp apple finish.
Jaboulet Cotes du Rhône Parallèle 45 Rouge 2006; $13
You don’t need your GPS to locate this vineyard; it takes its name from the 45th north parallel which runs through the French vineyard. The blend of 60 percent Grenache and 40 percent Syrah is surprisingly potent for the price, with a rustic mix of wild berries, herbs and a violet aroma.
Museum Crianza 2003; $18
Luckily for the impatient, the Spanish age many of their wines before releasing them. “Crianza” is the youngest designation, indicating this Tempranillo grape-based wine, with sweet tobacco, smoke and ripe berry flavors, is aged a full two years after it’s made. Reserva and Gran Reserva wines are aged longer still.
Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2007; $11
This wine, produced in entirely stainless steel as opposed to oak barrels to let the fruit shine, shows best when enjoyed fresh and young, releasing the full impact of zesty citrus, tart lime, electric acidity and crisp green flavors.
Store It
If you have a little room to stash wine in a controlled environment, like a wine fridge or a cool cellar that stays close to 55˚F, you can store wine for aging. These picks have the career span of a child actor, about 3 to five years. Any longer and you risk them spiraling into self-destruction, as their flavors wither and their value plummets. Next thing, they’re on reality TV.
Chateau Haut Bergey Blanc 2005; $40
White wine from Bordeaux? That ages? This bottle, made with a classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, breaks all the preconceptions, with rich flavors of melon and lemon and whiffs of gunpowder.
Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier Barossa 2006: $23
The blending of the red grape Syrah (AKA Shiraz) with the white grape Viognier in this Australian wine is a tradition born in France. Before you scoff at the idea, sniff the delicate floral aromas and slurp the blueberry pie topped with black pepper flavor.
St.-Urbans-Hof Riesling Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 2007; $20
Riesling ages especially well for a white grape, developing oily, petrol components reminiscent of kerosene—that’s a good thing. With crisp apple and ripe pear flavors, followed by sweet lychee and bright acidity, this wine could last a decade.
Sea Smoke “Ten” Pinot Noir 2006; $80
This cult Pinot from the up-and-coming California Santa Rita Hills area is potent stuff, with intense flavors of black plum, cherry and cassis with cedary spice. This wine is wrapped tightly enough for a bondage flick, which means a few years in the cellar will help it unwind and release more flavors.
Hoard It
Most wine withstands the passing of decades about as well as a Porky’s movie, but the best wines from great vintages—think 1982 Bordeaux, 1994 Port—can be enjoyed by your children’s children, They are designed to age, with the power and complexity that allows them to develop more flavors and achieve greater balance over time. Many of these wines are in high demand, so the best shopping is found on wine auction websites.
Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 2003; $80
Made from Sangiovese, the same grape that gives us Chianti, this powerhouse wine has all the heft and meatiness of a grilled burger with mushrooms, with smoky, earthy aromas and black fruit cruising through the long finish.
Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac 2005; $110
It’s impossible to add to the praise lauded on Bordeaux 2005 without officially naming it “Vintage of Infinity.” Considering the price of the top Châteaux are approaching four-figures, this silky wine, combining dark blackberry and chocolate flavors, is a steal.
Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005: $135
In most instances, the word “Reserve” carries the same weight as “I’ll call you,” but this is truly the top of the Mondavi line, with good structure, aromas of sweet blackberry, savory herbs and a chewy texture finishing with vanilla.
Dow Vintage Port 2003; $70
Because it is fortified with extra alcohol and has loads of tannin, the stuff that causes your mouth to pucker with dryness, vintage Port can be some of the longest-lived wine. This nearly black wine is thick, almost gooey, with sweet dried fruit and brown sugar nicely balanced by intense tannins and a dark chocolate finish.
Comments
28 Dec 2008, 13:36