2006 vintage for 20 year+ aging

[Oenotheque]

First let me say that this is a wonderful idea. I did something along the same lines for my sister who was born in 84. One of our mutual favorite wineries in Napa is Chateau Montelena. While her 21st birthday was an hommage to Three Wisemen and Car Bombs, her completion of school and return from New Zealand was celebrated with a birthyear bottle of 1984 Montelena Estate Cabernet highlighting an evening of good food, good friends and great wine. She still proudly displays the bottle in her room.

Now as for what to buy well that is more challenging. First a major factor would be your price point. If you are willing to spend a couple grand then the sky is your limit, if you were thinking closer to a few hundred, I would suggest buying fewer bottles of a higher quality label as opposed to the opposite. My reasoning being that it takes a big, finely crafted wine to not only survive the rigors of time, but to mature and improve even. Fruit is the first thing to go, so I would avoid fruit bombs and select something with a strong tannic frame. Montelena Estate would be an excellent selection, as would Shafer Hillside, BV George Latour (I had the 87 a month ago and it was sublime) Viader has shown excellent cellaring, Caymus Special Selection to name a few.

Also consider the other side of the pond for options, 84 worked because it was a great Cali cabernet year, had she been born in 82 we would have been drinking Cheval Blanc. Who knows what 06 will bring other than you will certainly have plenty of options. Also consider your storage facilities, are they the caliber for storing for 20+ years? Maybe buying them ex-chateau closer to your consumption date would make more sense? It will also give you an opportunity to know what his/her tastes will be.

Congratulations and Happy Hunting.

Rob.