beaulieu georges de latour private reserve cabernet 2008
My husband received two bottles of this as "thanks" for a keynote at a conference. Some googling tells me that this is a far better wine than our customary purchase for home or out at dinner. So I'm looking for some guidance. We don't have anything approaching a proper cellar, so should we drink it soon, or save it for years? (We do have a basement which stays reasonably cool year round). Should we save it for our daughter's graduation from college in three years, for example? Should I plan a special dinner for it (I'm a pretty good cook) or should we enjoy it on its own? Thanks in advance!
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Bill Hunt
Sep 23, 2012 07:56 PM
I agree with ML, with but one caveat - the storage.
I consider 3 - 5 years sort of "short-term," so the exact temp is a bit less important, than rapid fluctuations, within a range of about 45F to 70F. If your basement is relative cool, and the temps to not rise, or plunge rapidly, you should be just fine.
I have not tasted my '08's yet, but you should expect to find some cassis, black cherry, blackberry, cedar and maybe a hint of juniper on the nose of that wine. Usually, the tannins (think "pucker factor" here) are fairly rounded, and smooth, even fairly early. This is a very good example of domestic (US) Bordeaux Blends, and one that I enjoy.
Also, though this wine can usually age for many years, the changes might be to everyone's tastes. If one is not used to older red blends, a tad younger might be the way to go.
Serve with grilled beef, smoky, grilled lamb, duck confit, bison and venison. Also, save a bit for some good, hard cheeses, like a dry-aged Jack.
Enjoy,
Hunt
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re: Bill Hunt
I'm with Bill on this. This is a wine that will only get better (IMHO) over the years and can be saved for many years. I know folks who are opening bottles from the 60s and enjoying them. However, I think that I would hold it in the cellar for at least 3 years before you even think of opening it. If I had some, I'd probably hold on to them for 10 or more.
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re: dinwiddie
Bill Hunt
Oct 2, 2012 09:29 PM
My collections of this wine only go back to about '85 now, but I do my best to leave them alone for at least 10 years, and 20 is not out of the question. While I HAVE enjoyed it young, I appreciate it better with cellar age (with "cellar" being an important part of the equation).
However, some folk like big Cabs younger, rather than older. That is personal, and one cannot fault either way.
Hunt
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maria lorraine
Sep 22, 2012 11:54 AM
I'd like to recommend that you store it safely in your basement and hold on to it for a few years.
The wine is still quite young right now, and the tannins are not resolved, so it won't taste as it should for a few more years. How many years? I'd say about five.Here are the tasting notes about your wine from a number of people who just tasted it, and most say the wine was young. What I think would be wise is for you to check back at this link over the next few years and read the reports on how the wine is tasting. When folks say it's ready, then go for it. http://www.cellartracker.com/list.asp...
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