Happy New Year!
If you’re like me, certain dates tend to sneak up on you, leaving you in a last-minute panic to secure gifts or mementos to mark the occasion. Wine is, of course, the best gift of all, and it has the added benefit in most cases of being marked with a vintage, a fact that can help imbue a special occasion like a birthday, anniversary, or a child turning 21 with that extra splash of vinous magic.
Pre-arrival wines are the best way to secure highly allocated wines at exceptional prices, but they are not last-minute solutions, so this is your chance to look ahead at 2026 and start securing those bottles that will mark a big milestone in your life or the life of a great friend. Today we’re looking at which wines are showing best if you’re celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 21, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 years this year.
Five Years (2021): Whether you’re stocking a future cellar for a child or celebrating your “wood” anniversary (who came up with all those, anyway?), 2021 is a tricky vintage. Europe was hit hard by spring frosts, and all but the warmest regions had wet, rot-plagued growing seasons to boot. Some came through adversity with bright, early-drinking wines (reds from Burgundy, for example, recovered admirably), but they are not likely to be particularly long-lived. For drinking now, Red Burgundy is the play (Chambolle fared particularly well, but it’s hard to go wrong in the Côte d’Or). For long-term cellaring, look to the US (both California and Oregon had excellent vintages) and the southern hemisphere (Australia had perhaps their best vintage yet this century, and New Zealand wasn’t far behind).
Ten Years (2016): 2016 has incredible range. Like Champagne? 2016 was great, particularly for Pinot Noir-heavy producers. Like White Burgundy? Great vintage, and less fought-over than 2015 (not to mention often better). Want something a bit richer? Take your pick. Bordeaux, Tuscany, Piedmont, Rioja, Ribera del Duero. Europe’s classic red regions had a banner year. If you’re stocking a cellar for a child born in 2016, pay attention to top German Rieslings, which will be coming into their own as they approach their 21st birthday. California fared better than Oregon, and Australia better than New Zealand.
Fifteen Years (2011): Some have all the luck, and some have none. But fear not – 2011 wasn’t as bad as the press made it out to be, and many of the classic regions are showing aging potential better than initially believed. Germany made exceptional wines, particularly the sweeter examples, and though a bit high on ripeness and alcohol, Piedmont and Tuscany fared reasonably well. France’s classic regions were not well received upon release, but Northern Rhône Syrah is tasting beautifully right now, and though uneven, the best Burgundy producers managed wines that are coming into their own. Bordeaux, Champagne, and all but the best sweet Loire wines are forgettable at best. California is quite uneven, but with a few bright spots that have long aging potential. Vintage Port had a remarkable year, for those looking to age 2011s for decades to come.
Twenty Years (2006): Those celebrating their “porcelain” anniversary will find exceptional quality in Champagne and the Northern Rhône, and very successful wines among the riper sites and producers in Red Burgundy (outside of the very best, most of the whites are past it now). Worth seeking out in both Piedmont and Tuscany. The best Châteauneuf producers are also still aging well. Germany and the Loire should be avoided, and most Bordeaux tend to be overpriced for their quality. California’s best may surprise, but the quality is far from even.
Twenty-one Years (2005): Those reaching legal drinking age in 2026 come from an enviable (if rather pricey) vintage. Apart from Tuscany, which struggled, and Piedmont, which made rather forgettable wines, 2005 was a banner year across Europe’s classic regions. The best Bordeaux should still be sleeping, and the ripest Burgundy producers can be a bit overblown, but it’s hard to go wrong otherwise. Absolutely stunning German Rieslings provide an excellent gateway drug to those new drinkers who are as-yet unconvinced of wine’s supremacy.
Twenty-five Years (2001): The “silver” anniversary marks the first material anyone actually wants for their anniversary and falls on an excellent year for Sauternes (perhaps the best-ever d’Yquem?) and right-bank Bordeaux (even better in most cases than the lauded 2000 vintage). Northern California also produced phenomenal wines for cellaring, many of which are still drinking beautifully. Rioja and Ribera del Duero are worth seeking out, though the best are hard to come by. Germany produced a huge quantity of excellent botrytised wines as well, making BAs and TBAs an excellent alternative to what is one of the most expensive Sauternes vintages.
Thirty Years (1996): Again, some people have all the luck. Perhaps the finest Champagne vintage of the last 50, and an excellent cellaring vintage in both Bordeaux and Burgundy. The top Tempranillo houses are still going strong, but are getting hard to source. Germany did well, though not as well as 2001 (Eiswein is worth tracking down). Barolo and Barbaresco enjoyed a near-perfect vintage, and the best bottles are just getting started.
Forty Years (1986): Sauternes shines again for those celebrating their “Ruby” anniversary, and the best Red Bordeaux have come into their own in this very tannic vintage. Burgundy tends to be an expensive disappointment, even among the best producers. The icons of Spain are still worth seeking out, both in Rioja and Ribera del Duero, particularly in large format.
Fifty Years (1976): The year of the Judgement of Paris was a mixed bag in the wine world, with most wines now showing too old and tired. The great late-harvest wines of Germany are in the best shape, with top, large-format Champagne and Sauternes close behind.
If you are looking for a special bottle or case from an important vintage in your life, drop us a line. We’re scouring the market every day, and would be happy to keep our eye out for something exceptional for your cellar.