We had a gathering of best friends and great wine drinkers visiting over the weekend and used the occasion to try some older Bordeaux, two California Cabernet Sauvignons and a 1985 Dow Oporto. Too often, we drink wines far too young, before aging can work its wonders. Not everyone has a cellar or expensive wine vault, but you can successfully store favorites in an interior closet, where temperature ranges vary just plus or minus a few degrees. Huge temperature swings cause the most issues. Consistent home temperatures of 70 to 72 will speed aging, versus a 55-degree cellar, but not damage the wine.
So age a few if you can to share with friends later. Here are some we enjoyed, with short tasting notes from earlier Tweets.
Cheers.
· Love aged wines. 82 Lynch Bages. Classic Pauillac nose, earth, chocolate, Cabernet; smooth, rich, life left. w/filet/mushroom sauce.
· 84 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace. Older Napa style 12.5 alc. Aged Cabernet nose, cedar, mint; light-mid body; opened w/time. Lovely.
· 89 Pichon Baron Pauillac. Chocolate/Cab/Merlot/earth nose. Mid-body, nice structure. w/beef, veal, lamb.
· 98 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid-dark color, amber edges; mint, chocolate note; mid-body to soft; a little short, though tasty.
· Dow 85 Oporto. Pale strawberry color, amber edges; classic Port mothball nose; smooth, rich, long flavorful finish. w/cheese course. Wow!
