What fun! It's cellar reorganization weekend!

[dananne]

My jumbled up cellar is getting a much-needed dose of reorganization this weekend. It's been a while since I've done it, and much wine has been purchased in the interim. So, the end result is that I've got Rioja sharing shelf space with Cotes de Rhone and Aussie Shiraz becoming fast friends with Burgundy.

I must have order!

I organize by region and varietal, and I generally try to put the "hold" stuff in the back and the "consume immediately or in the next 1-3" toward the front. A few are up in the air, however, so I thought I'd get a take from you folks on the board to see about advice on whether to put them in the front or back. Here goes . . .

1999 Domaine des Gravelous Cahors -- Do I treat this as far as aging purposes like an Argentinian Malbec, with which I'm much more familiar, or does the grape have a different aging curve in Cahors? I know it's dependent on many variables (producer, vintage, etc.), but front or back?

2000 Coturri Chauvet Vineyards Sonoma Zin -- Pop in the next 3?

Anyone had any higher-tier (not like Grange -- out of my price range, as a general rule-- but more along the lines of Mt. Langhi Ghiran, Coriole, etc.) '97 or '98 Aussie Shiraz lately? Start cracking them or let them rest a bit longer?

Another broad question, but how do you all treat Cali Cab Franc? I'm talking as a general rule (again, taking into account vintage/producer variations)?

1997 Stag's Leap Napa Petite Syrah? Wait more than 3?

1995 Chateau Montus Madiran?

I'm sure I'll have some other cellar placement questions as the weekend progresses, but that's a start. Thanks in advance!

[hotwine]

I've got one simple rule, since I'm the one who goes lookin' for 'em: it's whatever makes sense to me.

[winoweenie]

FWIW IMHO I'm holding the 97-98 better end Shiraz till their 10th BD and the same with the Stags Leap PS. Not flamiliarrr with the other dudes. WW

[Drew]

The 97 and 98 Aussie's will definately hold till their tenth birthday's and you might be surprised to find the 97 was a better vintage for aging.

Drew

[Innkeeper]

Agree with holding the '97 Stag's Leap PS for three more.

[Thomas]

"Up in the air!" How do you keep them suspended???

In my experience, wines of Cahors are not too long lived. I think that should be in the front.

Sorry Dan, but you will not want to hear what I think of Coturri wines in general. Suffice to say, you might or you might not have a drinkable wine.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 05-22-2004).]

[winoweenie]

Depends on which barrel they bottled that day. What a horrible operation. WW

[dananne]

Thanks, everyone, for the info. It's been a big help, and things are falling into both order and place around here. Of course, I've just gone and created space that'll have to be filled [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

Thanks, also, for the heads-up on the Coturri. I think I'll crack it sometime soon -- I'll let you know how it turns out.