wedding gift

[croucher]

A friend and myself want to buy 3 bottles of wine for a wedding gift. We wanted to get bottles that would mature a few years out on their anniversary date. One bottle would be in three years, maybe a five year and then a ten year. We think that red wines are best for this? How can we tell when they mature and does anyone have any ideas on the best wines to buy? We wanted to spend about $70 total for all three bottles. Please help.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Crougher, and welcome to the Wine Board. For the three year point would go with a '97 or '98 Australian Shiraz for around $15. For the five year point would look for a '97 California Cabernet for $30. For the ten years point would go with a current release Chateauneuf Du Pape for around $25.