Question: A good wine to keep for 10 years

Hi everyone!

I'm getting married in two weeks and we are having a wine and box ceremony. Basically, we place a bottle of wine and love letters into the box and seal it. If our marriage hits rocky times we are to open it, drink the wine and read the letters. In the (hopefully) more likely eventuality that ten years pass without the box being opened, we open it on our 10th anniversary.

So what is a good wine that I'll be able to find that may be tasty in 10 years?

We both love nearly all wines and we are usual drinkers of (red) Zin, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier, and an occasional Merlot. I've read that Bordeaux is a good choice for cellaring, but frankly, I know very little about them-- or fine wines in general for that matter.

So what do you suggest?

Well, if you are willing or able to spend a little money ($100), I might suggest a Beaulieu Vineyards "George de la Tour" Cabernet. Even now, I think they are made to age somewhat. Certainly ten years. And, this wine is somewhat widely available.

Well, if you are willing or able to spend a little money ($100), I might suggest a Beaulieu Vineyards "George de la Tour" Cabernet. Even now, I think they are made to age somewhat. Certainly ten years. And, this wine is somewhat widely available.

I was hoping for something in the $30-$50 range, but I suppose I should have mentioned that. I'll look into your suggestion anyway. Thanks!

Where do you live? Big question is do you have a place to store this. I'm hoping that it lasts till your 10th (though that plan for potential problems is an interesting angle, never heard that one before). If we're talking a warm closet it better be Madeira or something.

Assuming you have a cool basement or something to keep this in, I'd stay away from Sauvignon Blanc or Viognier. Certainly some SB can age, and some Viognier. But the vast majority are made to drink young.

If you like Zin, you might consider a recent vintage of Ridge Geyserville or Lytton Springs. Most Zins I prefer young, but those age well over 10 years generally.

Merlot and Cabernet are safer (that would include Bordeaux). If we have an idea of budget, lots of possibilities (I haven't had the last couple of vintages of BV GdlT that Brian mentions, but certainly has a history of aging). Was there a year you met or something, that might give some added meaning.

But since we don't know your market, maybe best resource is a good wine shop (not a liquor store).

Where do you live? Big question is do you have a place to store this.

We live in Las Vegas, NV. The house stays no warmer than 80F, but as far as I understand the wine should be stored around 55F. We had a little wine fridge (and we will be picking up another one) but we usually kept it cooler than that. I suppose we wouldn't have to though.

But since we don't know your market, maybe best resource is a good wine shop (not a liquor store).

Yes, I suppose that would be ideal. Honestly, I just never feel I can trust the people working at the shops I've been in. But of course there are a few I've never tried that look promising. The sommelier at Nora's Wine Bar gave us some good advice (the Bordeaux), but they didn't carry any of her suggestions. Most local places here seem to have wines for the drinking, not for the storing. It's funny to see the perplexed look on the faces of workers when I ask for wine to store.

Thanks for all the quick replies so far. I'll hit up the two places I haven't been in yet (across town from me) and get back here if I'm still lost.

Hows about a red from the Rhone? Chateauneuf du Pape or maybe a Cornas. They gonna last.

I would draw up a shortlist for us to look through and we can argue/recommend!!!

Hows about a red from the Rhone? Chateauneuf du Pape or maybe a Cornas. They gonna last.

I would draw up a shortlist for us to look through and we can argue/recommend!!!

That sounds like a good idea. I'll hit up some shops this weekend and get back to this. Thanks!

For about $30, the current release of Domaine Ogier - La Rosine (a syrah-based red from an area in the Rhone Valley near Condrieu) ought to be terrific. You'll find the 2005 or 2006 in stores now, with the 2005 being a bit sturdier for the longer run and the 2006 a bit juicier.

For about $30, the current release of Domaine Ogier - La Rosine (a syrah-based red from an area in the Rhone Valley near Condrieu) ought to be terrific. You'll find the 2005 or 2006 in stores now, with the 2005 being a bit sturdier for the longer run and the 2006 a bit juicier.

Haven't had the '05 or '06, but I agree generally a fine wine, that ages well on 10 year frame

Bordeaux, for well under $50 you could try '05 Potensac, Bernadotte, Caronne Ste Gemme, Carbonnieux, du Terte. I'd think all would do fine till 2018.

Lots of great suggestions of wines I have never heard of. Excellent! I've started making a list Thanks!

Was there a year you met or something, that might give some added meaning.

We met in October 2005. On our two year anniversary I proposed under the big oak tree on the Ravenswood Winery estate.

You can get a 2d Growth Bordeaux such as Chateau Lagrange in your price range. The '05 should hold till '18 if you put it in the wine fridge. If possible I wouldn't put all my marbles in one bottle. Two or more spreads out the risk.

You should grab a couple bottles of Ridge Geyserville and Lytton Springs. These are zins with a track record to hold on for at least 10 years.

One caveat. With a "special" wine, I like to get a few to try along the way to make sure that I am not holding on to a wine to long. It would be a shame to look forward to a wine for so long and find out its past its prime.

To add another level of interest to the wine, you may want to think about a wine from the year you met or the year you got engaged.

Good luck and congrats.

Here's a different suggestion. My wife and I were married in 1975. In 1978, when the '75 Bordeaux were released (they spend a lot of time aging in barrels), we bought a case (Ch. Lafite) and opened a bottle every 5 years on our anniversary. I'm making this a family tradition. My oldest son was married in 2006 and I bought them a case of 2006 wine good for long term aging.

Here's a different suggestion. My wife and I were married in 1975. In 1978, when the '75 Bordeaux were released (they spend a lot of time aging in barrels), we bought a case (Ch. Lafite) and opened a bottle every 5 years on our anniversary.

Howie,

I commend you. You may be the only person I know of who could afford an entire case of Lafite when they were first married. Most people I know are fairly cash poor after paying for the ring, purchasing that first house, the wedding, furnishing the new house, etc.

Well, at the time it was $30/bottle, which was expensive, considering the '74 was selling for $14 at the time and I had purchased a bottle of '67 for $10. However, we timed it with our income tax return.

In addition to the other suggestions how about a nice Riesling from Germany? A JJ Prum Spatlese, or Auslese should hold up for 10 years if well stored. There several other age worthy Riesling producers as well. You should be able to find good examples in the $30-$50 range.

I think I've found it. I stopped in a fantastic shop called Valley Wine & Cheese in Henderson (part of the Las Vegas conurbation) and spoke with a very knowledgeable staffer. He actually suggested the Domaine Ogier Rosine right off the bat and the Chateauneuf du Pape shortly after. Seeing his suggestions were exactly in line with the suggestions on this forum gave me some confidence in him. His final recommendation, what he would put in if it were him, was what I finally purchased: 2004 Ogier L' Âme Soeur. Reading the reviews I might have found something better in the price range, but I think I'll be happy with this one.

Thanks everyone for your help. You made the process much easier and I feel reassured in my choice.

[Jenise]

I think I've found it. I stopped in a fantastic shop called Valley Wine & Cheese in Henderson (part of the Las Vegas conurbation) and spoke with a very knowledgeable staffer. He actually suggested the Domaine Ogier Rosine right off the bat and the Chateauneuf du Pape shortly after. Seeing his suggestions were exactly in line with the suggestions on this forum gave me some confidence in him. His final recommendation, what he would put in if it were him, was what I finally purchased: 2004 Ogier L' Âme Soeur. Reading the reviews I might have found something better in the price range, but I think I'll be happy with this one.

Thanks everyone for your help. You made the process much easier and I feel reassured in my choice.

Great choice, David, and congratulations on your marriage. One piece of advice: When you drink this wine on your 10th anniversary, have another box ready to go. The second ten might be rockier.

Great choice, David, and congratulations on your marriage. One piece of advice: When you drink this wine on your 10th anniversary, have another box ready to go. The second ten might be rockier.

Ha! Thanks. I 'll keep that in mind.