Mrs667 is 40 next year and seeing a 1978 Cyril Henschke on Lantons got me to wondering if there was any point trying to get hold of a special wine for the occasion.
So, a few questions for my fellow AFFers:
- Does anyone have any first hand experience of good wines from that vintage?
- If I buy from a random Langtons lot (or similar), what do think are my chances of winning the cork lottery? Does this improve with the more 'premium' wines?
- What's a reasonable ullage on bottles of that age?
All thoughts welcomed, and if anyone wants to discuss other years for their nearest and dearest please do!
Having just done the 40th celebration thing, I'd recommend going for the best wines your money can buy. Forget about matching the anniversary age. There's so few reliable wines in the 40 year category, that you'll be better off going for an icon wine at 20-25 years instead.
You also have to like super aged wines. They are not for everyone. If you, your lovely wife and would-be guests are not used to the big tertiary characteristics and faded fruit flavours that many 40 year old icon wines display, then even the best of a Bordeaux or Barolo may be a bit lost on the palates at your party.
If you were looking at '78 wines, and wanted something close to home, then you could hunt out a Grange that has been through the Penfolds Clinic. The 78 Grange got a Robert Parker 93, with a glowing review in 2002. I wouldn't touch one without the clinic seal of approval if you don't want the gamble. A good one, though is going to set you back $800 or so. CellarIt have plenty of options. But phone them to work out the best one available.
The experts say '78 was a good (not outstanding) year in Bordeaux. Latour. Haut Brion. And the other usual suspects spring to mind. But from a quick read of a few independent articles, many of the 78 Bordeaux are past their peaks of the 90s, and are very much in that tertiary phase.
As AC said, there's also the usual Barolo suspects. There's also Spanish Rioja. Portugal's Port. America's Nappa Cabs. The Chateau du Papes. And more. I suspect most are past their prime, despite their lofty reputations and matching price tags.
So my suggestion: if you like Shiraz, go for the best Shiraz your budget can buy in its prime drinking window with good providence. If you like a straight Cab or the Bordeaux blend, then go for the best you can in your chosen category.
Pay a bit extra for the providence too. It's the opposite of this fine Wine Lovers thread - don't hunt for the cheapest available price. But the best providence. Phone the vendors behind the deals you are looking at. If they can't vouch for providence, then maybe keep hunting.
You have time.
And last, but not least, and best of all: enjoy the chase. I loved hunting out and researching all the wines I got for my birthday dinners. It was great fun. Probably as much fun as savouring them all.
And last, last, but not least: don't go too crazy on the number of wines you choose to bring to the party. The more you have - the more the averaging-effect kicks in. There's only so many Haut Brions and Grange you can truly savour in the sublime realm before they all start to taste a bit great, but not sublime. Sadly, that's just how most of us are wired.
Happy hunting. And looking forward to hearing what you eventually settle on ...
