Buying Wine, Random Musings

2009 “Birth Year” Case Wine Recommendations

home wine cellar

Many wine collectors, myself included, have the romantic notion of buying a case of wine from their child’s birth year to give them upon their 21st birthday. I’m not going to get into the wisdom of giving a 21 year old first growth Bordeaux, but I do like the thought of having some fun bottles on hand to open at birthday dinners, graduations, weddings, etc.

To be included in a “birth year” case a wine needs to be able to age gracefully over 20 or more years. For this particular case, I’m not going to include more than two wines from a single region, and none of the wines will cost more than $100.

I’ve started with the 2009 vintage as all these wines should currently be available via retail:

  1. 2009 Pavie Macquin – Region: Bordeaux, Score: Wine Spectator 95, Price: $80
  2.  2009 Calon Segur – Region: Bordeaux, Score: Wine Advocate 94, Price: $99
  3. 2009 Antinori Tignanello – Region: Tuscany, Score: WA 94,  Price: $80
  4. 2009 Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese – Region: Mosel, Score: WS 96, Price: $45
  5. 2009 Beaucastel – Region:  Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Score: WS 96, Price: $75
  6. 2009 Pegau – Region:  Châteauneuf-du-Pape,  Score: WS 95, Price: $70
  7. 2009 Roumier Chambolle-Musigny – Region: Burgundy, Score: WA 90,  Price: $99
  8. 2009 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Palengat Vineyard – Region: Washington, Score: WA 96, Price: $90
  9. 2009 Caymus Special Selection – Region: Napa Valley, Score: WS 93, Price: $99
  10. 2009 Huët Vouvray Moelleux 1ère Trie Clos du Bourg – Region: Loire, Score: WS 96, Price: $70
  11. 2009 Chateau Suduiraut – Region: Sauternes, Score: WS 96, Price: $90
  12. 2009 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port – Region: Port, Score: WS 94, Price: $80

There you have it! Other wines that have yet to be released from Dunn and Clerico would make great additions to this case as well.

What wines have you cellared for your children born in the banner year of 2009?

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6 thoughts on “2009 “Birth Year” Case Wine Recommendations

  1. I went with Clos des Papes for both of my kiddos – 2005 and 2007. Think they’ll make it to 21 years nicely? I haven’t tasted Clos des Papes too many times so don’t have much to go off besides tasting windows from Spectator.

    1. Nice choices. I think most vastly underestimate how well CdP ages. A 98 Vieux Telegraph recently was exceptional and it appears to be a wine still on the upside. The 05 and 07 Clos des Papes will be stellar at 21 years of age. The only worry might be whether you can keep your hands off them!

  2. I don’t have an 09 child. I bought 1st growths and super 2nds for my 04 child but I don’t have to explain why that practice ended after 04. Since 07 wasn’t a year to bank on for Bordeaux I had to think a little more broadly. I’ve gone mostly CA + Quilceda Creek–Corison Kronos Vineyard, Quilceda Columbia Valley Cab, Ridge Monte Bello, Dunn Howell Mtn., Heitz Martha’s Vd., and Mayacamas. I’m glad 07 forced me away from Bordeaux b/c I’m really excited about seeing how these wines age. For 2010, I defaulted back to Bordeaux though–futures of Pontet Canet and Grand Puy Lacoste.

  3. I welcomed twins this year, so I’m thinking a 2012 flagship Quilceda Creek (or two) will need to be stashed away. I know, it’s above the $100 price point, but with the favorable chatter about this year’s growing season, it should be fun in 21…!

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