wines as wedding gift

[Innkeeper]

Hi Nicolem, and welcome to the Wine Board. We sincerely hope your upcoming wedding will be the most special event of your life. As far as your presents are concerned, we think we can be very helpful.

The most splendidly consistent wine in the world is Brunello Di Montalcino. The only problem is they take a long time to age. The 1995's are on the market now. They will be ready to drink in 2010. The easiest one to find and an excellent one at that is Castello Banfi at around $50. You can also contact WineExpo@earthlink.net for one of the best ones available that he picked up at a fire sale (actually a business failure). If I had my life to live all over again, I would pick up a Brunello every year and drink one on our anniversary at its fifteen year point.

In the meantime you could lay down some Bordeaux for the earlier events. St Julien from 1995 or '96 is wonderful; even second bottlings such as Les Fiefs De Lagrange which will go four or five years. Daddy, Chateau Lagrange, will go ten and is still under $50.00. There are others in that price range. More available right now are the 1998's. Pomerol and St Emilion did much better than those on the other side of the river that year. Anyone you can afford that your dealer recommends should work for a seven to ten year lay down. We have had good luck with Chateau De Sales, Pomerol; and also with Chateau Puy Blanquet, St Emilion. Don't get locked in on any of these if you get other good recommendations.

As far as California Cabernet is concerned go with anything that Winoweenie or other board members recommend. Do not invest in anything else. There are some big problems with many California Cabs right now in the way they are made, and the consequent impact on their aging ability. Regardless, go with any recommendations you get here.