UPDATED February 25 with new information!
Did you know that Saturday February 24, 2018 is Open That Bottle Night?
It's a brilliant idea started in 2000 by Wall Street Journal wine writers Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, who realized that way too many great bottles of wine were languishing in wine cellars - being kept for that "perfect" occasion that never came!
I totally relate. So often I've looked in my cellar and thought about opening a great Bordeaux or California cabernet sauvignon or BC pinot noir and then felt that the meal or the event was not grand enough or the guests attending might not appreciate the exceptional wine or some other reason that caused me to leave it in the cellar.
And - very sadly - I have had more than a few bottles go over the hill or actually off in my cellar because I'd left them too long. There is nothing worse than opening an old and expensive bottle only to find that it has long ago passed its prime drinking age - or more awful still - is completely undrinkable!
So tonight I encourage you to do what I'll be doing - open a really great bottle of wine from the cellar and not worrying about the meal or anything else - because it's Open That Bottle Night - and you don't need any other reason!
Let me know what you open - and I'll do the same right here!
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| 2004 Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino Riserva |
UPDATE: Here's what I opened and enjoyed yesterday for Open That Bottle Night - a 2004 Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - a 96 point wine that the Wine Spectator ranked at 31 on their Top 100 Wines of 2010!
Very glad I opened it too - because it was beautiful but also showing slight signs of deterioration - so it needed to be opened and enjoyed! Here's that Wine Specatator said:
“This changes all the time as you taste it, with aromas of dark fruit and porcini mushroom turning to cigar box and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit and chewy tannins. Really powerful and long.”
And why did I open it last night? “Best after 2011.” Whoops!
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| Chateau Guiraud 2006 Sauternes |
I also felt like I should follow up with a second Open That Bottle Night selection, so I pulled out a 2006 Chateau Guiraud Sauternes rated 93 points by the Wine Spectator as well!
They said: "Subtle, but with complex aromas of honey, spices, apple pie and lemon candy. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with intense botrytis and lemon peel character and bright acidity. Powerful and long. Best after 2012."
And once again - I'm up to 6 years late! But on the Guiraud I don't notice any deterioration -and I've drank a 1989 Guiraud about 25 years after the grapes were picked - and it blew us all away - totally fresh! So I wasn't as worried but still wanted to see how it developed.
This one will last in my fridge for a few very pleasant after dinner glasses.
And here's a recent bottle I should have opened sooner but fortunately was still beautiful - the 2009 Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape white - a 93 point Wine Spectator rated wine. Their review: "A lush, slightly languid style, with a brioche profile leading the way, followed by creamed melon and pear flavors moving gently behind. The rounded, open, flattering finish has nice weight and mouthfeel. Drink now through 2013. 150 cases made."
I could not disagree - but note the "drink through 2013" and I had it 5 years later! I think it would have been still better if I'd done that - damn my delay!
And of course - don't forget to attend the Vancouver International Wine Festival from February 24 to March 4, 2018 to taste some excellent wines to replenish your cellar - but hurry - almost every single event is sold out!
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