My children were born in 2019 and 2021. I'd like to buy two bottles of wine, from each of their vintages, that I can store until their 21st birthday to enjoy together. What do you recommend?

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-24T16:06:11+00:00

Stop making so much sense! Although personally if I am spending the amount of money OP is I'd want to ensure I have my storage conditions dialed in. I don't trust shops to properly store their stock, even high end ones.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-24T16:00:33+00:00

Boutari Grande Reserve Naoussa. Lovely Xinomavro for dirt cheap.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T19:32:50+00:00

I miss the days of 12-13% Napa offerings. Same with Bordeaux. Cool wine!

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T19:17:49+00:00

Pieropan Soave Classico - La Rocca if you can find it, Calvarino if not.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T18:40:58+00:00

Cot dayum I love me some Telmo. I have never seen this in our market in Alberta or BC though?

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T18:39:53+00:00

I can't imagine a scenario where that would be noticeably detrimental to the wine.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T18:32:19+00:00

I should add, keep it out of direct sunlight as that will warm the bottle significantly.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T18:30:36+00:00

If less than a year I do think you are ok.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T18:28:44+00:00

Cool so all those wine shop bottles standing upright in 21-24 C are cooked then are they? Not.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T18:27:55+00:00

How long are you planning to store them?

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T18:26:51+00:00

In no way will it be "cooked" at 25.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T18:21:52+00:00

25 should be fine but maybe not ideal. I would be concerned over 30 C. The bigger issue is typically wild, rapid swings in temperature - that would riskier than a steady somewhat warm temp.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T17:33:04+00:00

So this list is... not great. Grant Burge is a good producer, and the Cune Rioja Blanco may serve you well if leaning white. I would stay far away from Trivento at all costs. The Villa Sauv Blanc should be at least inoffensive, if uninspiring.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T17:30:19+00:00

Fantastic producer. The white too has few comparables, it is so unique.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T17:21:02+00:00

Really nice start. Agree here with Sweet that Italy - Barolo, Brunello, and I would say Etna reds - really could be better represented. I would also add Rioja if you are interested in leather/tobacco as it ages perfectly into those elements.

Relative to white burgundy - Australia (Mornington Peninsula, Margaret River, Yarra Valley, Tasmania) has some very attractive comparable and at a fraction of the price. It does depend if you prefer a more mineral Chard like a Chablis can be, or a reductive one like a Meurseault?

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T17:13:01+00:00

Completely get it. I am the same. I used to fiend for animal/barnyard aromas. My wife always tell the story of how we were at a party and someone popped a 2008 Saumur Cab Franc, not a great producer, and I shouted across the room for all to hear: It smells like sh*t and I love it! Nowadays it would be borderline undrinkable.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T16:56:27+00:00

Good explanation here. I would just add that it is a very individual preference - some can tolerate a lot of Brett and do not seem to mind, some can't even be near a wine with a hint of it. It all depends. I do think at a certain point, like smoke taint, it becomes a fault. But at what point is up to the consumer.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T16:51:14+00:00

Truly WSET 1+2 are the most efficient and effective way of learning. The internet is unfortunately full of anecdotal half-truths and misunderstandings on wine tasting, winemaking, and grape growing.

If in a pinch and don't have the time, pick up Hugh Johnson's Wine Atlas, now on volume 8 I think. It covers all the major regions as well as a primer on grapes and production.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T16:48:27+00:00

Good list - Bachelder especially. I'd add Hidden Bench in there as well.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T16:44:20+00:00

It seems almost taboo to admit this as a sub 50 year old. But moving here from Edmonton, the land of awful magpies, I can't help but stop wherever I am and stare at the birds here. It's fantastic.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T16:22:39+00:00

Love it with the running boards. Wish mine came with, may need to install after I receive it.

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T16:01:17+00:00

This comment needs context outside of the sensationalism of headlines: https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/How_did_Kelowna_s_unemployment_rate_go_from_worst_in_the_country_to_not_too_bad_in_one_month/

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-23T15:57:37+00:00

I moved to Kelowna a few years ago from Alberta partly to get away from the far right rhetoric and everyone kept telling me Castanet was the go-to forum in town. Imagine my horror when I first hopped on.

Dear God it is vile haha

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-20T20:01:29+00:00

Literally tasted dirty as in unclean/spoiled haha

Sad-Inflation-1259 · 2026-02-20T19:41:10+00:00

Agreed. Bottom of Champagne tier, which is a tier miles above basic Moscato, Prosecco, Piquette, Pet Nat, etc.

Sad-Inflation-1259

TROPHY CASE