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My Birthday Wish

March 3rd, 2010

In a little more than 6 months on September 6th, I will turn 25. I feel like this is the last big birthday before 30, so I want to enjoy it by doing something I’ve never done before. I’m a wine nerd, so I’m pretty sure you can guess what’s coming next.

On my 25th birthday, I want to drink wine from 1985.

I’m lucky that 1985 isn’t a bad vintage but I’m also kind of scared at how much I might have to pay to make this happen. I know that it will be, by far, the most expensive wine I’ve bought to date, but I’m prepared to splurge for it. My daily wine buying maximum tops out at $25 a bottle on the high end, so looking to get a 25 year old bottle of wine (probably from France) is going to offer a fair amount of sticker shock.

That said, I’m looking to find a shop or collector that has a good 1985 Bordeaux/Burgundy/Champagne or anything else that is probably still drinking well. I’m probably hopeful, but I don’t think I can go above $200 on this. (FYI, it kind of hurt me to type that because that’s a LOT of cash)

Know someone who has what I want? Let me so I can make this little birthday wish come true.

Filed under: Uncategorized Comments (18)

http://www.vinotology.com Ben Simons

Good luck with the search! That’s a really cool idea for a birthday treat for yourself. I’ve crossed over the dark side of 30, so it’s going to get harder for me to find a drinkable wine at anything approaching a reasonable amount of money. Maybe I’ll just start looking to stock up on nice wines that will age from my wife and my anniversary year (2005) instead. I actually have a pretty decent Brunello from 2005 right now that I was thinking about drinking for my ten year anniversary in 2015.
http://www.suburbanwino.com suburbanwino

I think you can do this under $200, easy. Might be tough with big name Bordeaux and Champagne (and VERY tough with Burgundy…it's just made on such small scales). If you look at Bordeaux, there are some great 3rd/4th/5th growths that could be found.

Barolo from Piemonte, Italy would've aged well, but I don't know if it'd be much more affordable.

That being said, you could probably find something from good stuff from California or Australia in your price range. A legendary Aussie name- Penfold's Grange- may be at the high end of your price range. From Cali, I bet you could find a good, established name like a Chateau Montelena, Ridge, Mondavi Reserve, etc. for under your budget. Good luck, and happy birthday! (and I thought I was the “young kid” in the wine blogger community, but you've clearly bested me).

Oh, and the other birthdays before 30 are fun…just drink a 1985 every year!

http://www.thewineingwoman.com/ Amanda Maynard

Thanks so much for all the region suggestions. I'm totally going to explore all of my options before picking “the one.” I think the tough part is going to be actually getting the wine to me. I live in the dreaded state of Massachusetts and, well. Shipping laws are quite prohibitive.

I'll see what I can do though. Maybe skirt a few laws while I'm at it…

http://www.terroirists.com/ Steven Washuta

You could check Vinfolio.com for some auction bottles. Unfortunately I don't have any 1985 wines, but best of luck. Oh, and Joe thinks he's a wine blogging baby – I was born in '87!

http://www.suburbanwino.com suburbanwino

'79…I'm a dinosaur!

http://www.thewineingwoman.com/ Amanda Maynard

Please. '79 is not dinosaur range. Not yet, anyway

http://www.thewineingwoman.com/ Amanda Maynard

I've heard good things about Vinfolio from a few but I've also heard it's a huge pain for restricted shipping states, so I'll take a look, but unfortunately, I probably won't end up being able to buy from the site.

I love that there are fellow “wine blogging babies” out there! I mean, I don't think of us that way, but a lot of people do.

http://twitter.com/RichardPF Richard Auffrey

You could try a 1985 Vintage Port too, and it might run you only about $100.

For local wine stores, try Lower Falls Wine Co., Federal Wines & Spirits, Brookline Liquor Mart or Marty's Liquors.

http://www.thewineingwoman.com/ Amanda Maynard

I always find Port to be a little too much to handle for me, but all of those Ports haven't been 25 years old, so it could be an option. I can't say I'm not skeptical, though.

I know about Brookline Liquor Mart, but the other suggestions are much appreciated. I'll probably visit all of them in the next few months just to get an idea of what I can get for the price.

http://www.suburbanwino.com suburbanwino

Oh man, well-aged Port is a thing of beauty! If you have enough left over, give some a try!

http://www.thewineingwoman.com/ Amanda Maynard

I'm kind of thinking that if these babies are more affordable than I expected, I'm going to HAVE to get two wines and Port is making a serious power move.

candidwines

Amanda -

Thanks for the follow on Twitter (@candidwines).

If they can get wine to you, you'll find plenty of options at http://www.flickingerwines.com. 1985 Warres Port for $59, and plenty of Bordeaux from smaller Chateaux and CA wines under $100. I work with them alot and am always impressed by the quality of wines and storage. Tell them I sent you! Damien

http://www.thewineingwoman.com/ Amanda Maynard

Thanks, Damien! I haven't heard of them before so thanks for giving me the link. It will help me on my quest towards awesome birthday wine.

http://www.DrinksAreOnMe.net Dale Cruse

Also consider vintage Riesling, Chenin Blanc, & Sauternes.

http://www.thewineingwoman.com/ Amanda Maynard

Those might be a bit harder to find, but they've been added to my list.

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My Birthday Wish

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