Longlife cellar reds

[Dragzworthy]

Hi All
New to the forum ... Hope no one minds me starting a thread!

I live in Singapore but I'm from Melbourne, became a Father last year and decided to collect a stack load of wine so that I can share it with the little beast when he's older. As such I've started a storage facility in Melbourne. I've been buying Bordeaux on Primeur 2015 (like the idea of drinking his vintage birth year and apparently a good year to boot) but I was wondering... Outside the French goodies I've loaded up on (250 bottles or so), what Aussie reds can "go the distance" - I.e. Last 20yrs+ in ideal conditions?

Ashamed to admit I'm yet to buy much home country stuff, thus far I have: vasse felix, wendouree, woodlands, henschke euphonium, Penfolds 389, Yarra yering dry no 1, moss wood....

Any advice? Help much appreciated in advance oh gurus of Australian wine.

[Waiters Friend]

From the names you've mentioned so far, and that you have already amassed 250 bottles, I suspect junior will need a liver transplant in his 22nd year.

[Ian S]

Definitely not a problem starting a thread

Best's would be one I'd add to a list of 'possibles', the Bin 0 Shiraz, the very underrated Cabernet Sauvignon and the flagship Thomson family Shiraz, though some of the smaller run wines age brilliantly as well. I remember picking up some mature bottles of their Cab Franc v. cheap (£5 a bottle) and it was an absolute joy.

A decent Hunter Shiraz would help give some variety (Yes I know that might be difficult for a Melbournite to stomach, but the Shiraz from there is all the more interesting for being different to SA and Vic. shiraz. Wynns Cabernet Black label (plus the more recent single vineyard bottlings) is a strong performer in the cellar. Maybe a vintage fortified (port style) as well.

It is worth remembering, that sometimes 21 year olds just want to neck beer, but at least when they are out getting blotto, you'll have some nice aged wine to drink!

[Hacker]

When possible, don't forget to buy magnums, they will definately keep longer. Many of the names you mentioned have larger format, sometimes you have to ring the winery.

[TiggerK]

Some great advice here, would chime in on the Hunter reds, and add Lakes Folly Cab, Tyrrell's Vat 9/4 Acres/Old Patch and put in a good word for a few Hunter Semillons as well, yes white, but 20 years is where they often show at their best, all these wines will go 30 years so all set for when he's over beer and into wine!

Oh, and Wynns' John Riddoch is a consistent quality long termer as well, one of my fav's with 20 years plus.

[JamieBahrain]

Realistically you need 30+ year wines to enjoy with your son in his 20's and 30's.

First off, having cellared wine for 25 years now your professional storage option will reap rewards you won't realize until you are enjoying wines punching above their weight when compared to auction buys or passive cellars. This is a critical point if cellaring Aussie wines which are rarely 30+ year wines .

Foreign wines are easily found that will go the distance . Living in Singspore you will evolve pretty quickly with foreign wines. My advice being buy as much as you can and use your duty free allowance at every opportunity - it would be a mistake not to buy some traditional Barolo!

Looking at my own cellar working backwards may help you in your choices. Vintage is critical except for the rare beasts such as Wendouree, Grange etc. My reputable 96s are all holding due storage and the vintage and will go another 10 prior a slide well down the back of the maturation curve. Lesser vintages such as 95 and 97 still interesting drinking but I'm seeing 93s struggling .

So it comes down to storage, vintage ( yes there are exceptions) and winery. Straight forward really and I suggest you drink 2015 auction buys in a decade or so to preserve your well cellared personal stock.

I wanted to expand on a few points but I'm on an iPhone

[Ozzie W]

Oh, and Wynns' John Riddoch is a consistent quality long termer as well, one of my fav's with 20 years plus.

My experience has been different. JR has been one of the most inconsistent Aussie wines I've had, thanks to the crappy corks Wynns use. The bottle variation I've experienced is huge. They went to screwcap in 2004 so that problem has sorted itself out, so won't be an issue for Dragzworthy.

Some great advice above regarding Aussie reds that will go the distance. You're certainly going to have lots of choices. The 2015 vintage of the wines recommended above are still a couple years or so away from being released, so plenty of time to plan what you want to cellar. Keep in mind that 2015 was a difficult vintage for many regions in Australia. The Hunter, Barossa and Margaret River all had issues of one form or another. A very good vintage for the Yarra Valley.

[TiggerK]

Yeah of course only consistent when corks are good (and the storage of course Jamie). Although I've seen very few bad bottles of JR myself, I was of course talking about buying current stuff. 10 and 12 are solid.

And yes, 2015 in Hunter for reds was generally bad. But he was possibly conceived in 2014?, if so back up the truck on Hunter 2014's!

[Polymer]

It isn't a red but for 2015, you should see a lot of very long life Hunter Semillon...20+ years will be what they need at a minimum anyways...

[deejay81]

Yup, too early for 2015 releases, but for a truly celebratory moment, you can't beat popping a Champagne cork.

2015 vintage in Champange is supposed to be "phenomenal" so stock up once the vintage champagnes are released. BdN's (They're kinda red right?) for 2015 are supposedly going to be awesome.

[Cloth Ears]

2015 Rutherglen fortifieds supposed to be some of the best for a while.

[Dragzworthy]

Thanks all, really appreciate the insight and responses.... Ha the poster who suggests I've overbought - supposedly this bordeaux stuff is meant to last a very long time! And yeah, will be shared around the family.

I had no idea magnums lasted longer, that is interesting

[tarija]

Another option worth considering as well is Rioja, and you can spread your money across the range - even many Rioja Reservas can age very nicely.

Might be worthwhile spreading your purchasing a bit to some different varietals, otherwise you will just be drinking a whole stack of Cabernet blends and shiraz.

[Mike Hawkins]

Yup, too early for 2015 releases, but for a truly celebratory moment, you can't beat popping a Champagne cork.

2015 vintage in Champange is supposed to be "phenomenal" so stock up once the vintage champagnes are released. BdN's (They're kinda red right?) for 2015 are supposedly going to be awesome.

The good and great are between 5 and 15 years away from release,so plenty of time to save!

[daz]

Mount Langi Ghiran (Mast Shiraz 2013) as well as Bests for Grampians Vic. wines; Tahbilk Eric Stephen Purbrick Shiraz and Cabernet, 1860 Vines Shiraz, Nagambie Lakes/Goulburn River Vic.; Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet blend, Margaret River WA; Bleasdale Vineyards The Powder Monkey Single Vineyard Langhorne Creek Shiraz SA; St Johns Road Barossa Valley, SA.; Jasper Hill Heathcote Vic., just to name a few that could supply wines capable of aging 21 years or more.

[George Krashos]

Or go large format on reputable wines. Magnums and double magnums will likley give you that extra 5-10 year boost to get you in the right drinking window.

-- George Krashos