By Nikki Scott
A bottle from a meaningful vintage is one of the most thoughtful gifts one could bestow upon a wine lover. Obviously, the years that have passed since the harvest will have imbued the wine with the depth and complexity of flavor that accompany age. But perhaps more importantly to the recipient of such a gift, it will call to mind memories of the date on the label, as well as of all of the life events that have transpired over the passing years. Enjoying such a wine is truly an exercise in nostalgia.
Wine and memory are known to share a strong connection, and aromas can be extremely evocative. A sniff of a particular cherry note in a Pinot Noir might inspire recollections of enjoying a favorite childhood candy. A riverside hike may be remembered when the smell of wet stone is encountered while enjoying a Sancerre. For this we can thank the olfactory bulb, which is responsible for our perception of scents, and works closely with the parts of our brains that manage emotion and memory. A bottle of wine made in the same year as an important life event is unlikely to evoke memories in this way — you probably won’t pick up notes redolent of the peonies from your wedding bouquet, or of the hospital in which your child was born — but while slowly sipping alongside your loved ones, you’ll likely feel inspired to reminisce.
Picking out a bottle representing a wedding year, birth year, or any other important life milestone can be a daunting task, however. Navigating a wine shop can be difficult enough without having to worry about vintages. To simplify your search, we’ve identified some of the best bets for each of the last sixteen vintages. If you need help tracking down a wine for your special year that is not listed here, feel free to reach out to us at info@bayareawinecompany.com. Cheers!
1999: Red Burgundy
Qualitatively and quantitatively an excellent vintage, with wines at all price levels exhibiting superior balance, concentration, intensity, and ageability. 1999 Domaine du Marquis d’Angerville Volnay 1er Cru “Champans” is expected to show well for many more years.
2000: Left Bank Bordeaux
An ideal ripening season set winemakers up for a vintage in which it was difficult to fail. Look for 2000 Chateau La Tour Haut Brion Pessac-Leognan from the Graves region, a great example from this classic vintage.
2001: Barbaresco
Barbaresco is a great wine for important celebrations because its firm tannins make it long-lived while its singular aromatics remind you that you are drinking (and celebrating) something truly special. Try 2001 Gaja Barbaresco, which despite its age is still brimming with youthful fruit, thanks to that year’s ideal growing conditions for the Nebbiolo grape, featuring hot days and cool nights.
2002: Champagne
Sandwiched between two far lesser vintages, 2002 benefited from a mild spring, a warm summer, and a dry and sunny autumn. This allowed wines to reach sufficient ripeness and alcohol levels while maintaining the characteristic acidity of the region. We recommend 2002 Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs for an outstanding example with plenty of life ahead of it.
2003: Hermitage
2003 was a tricky vintage throughout Europe, and caution should be exercised when purchasing wines from this year. The summer was too warm in many regions, but Hermitage in the Northern Rhône produced some fine bottlings with intense concentration, opulent texture, and exotic flavors. 2003 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage, while not for the faint of palate, is widely considered to be the most exceptional wine made that year in Hermitage.
2004: Ribera del Duero
The deep, dark, and intense wines of this Spanish region shone in 2004 and are still going strong today. 2004 Bodegas Vega Sicilia “Unico” provides an excellent example of what Tempranillo can do with a bit of age, and shows enough structure to last another decade or two.
2005: St.-Émilion
Bordeaux enjoyed one of its most successful years in history in 2005, and the St.-Émilion appellation on the right bank was home to some of the most balanced, powerful, and elegant wines. One of the most praised bottlings of the vintage was 2005 Château Pavie St.-Émilion.
2006: Barolo
After a period in which the Piemonte region of northern Italy seemed to be obsessed with modernization and heavy, alcoholic, and oak-laden wines, 2006 represented a return to tradition, with less noticeable oak influence and more classic flavors. The wines retained their signature power and concentration, however. For a great example of the vintage, look for 2006 Vietti Barolo “Rocche.”
2007: Super Tuscans
An exceptional vintage in Tuscany, 2007 produced wines brimming with bold, opulent fruit and ultra-ripe tannins — qualities that are better suited for the region’s “Super Tuscan” wines than for classic Chianti. Rather than traditional Sangiovese, these wines contain international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The refined and aromatic 2007 Tenimenti Luigi D’Alessandro “Migliara” Cortona, made from Syrah, was a highlight of the vintage.
2008: Pomerol
Bordeaux’s right bank saw another banner year in 2008, much to the surprise of the region’s vintners. A difficult harvest unexpectedly, even perhaps inexplicably, resulted in a crop of superior fruit. Look for 2008 Chateau L’Evangile Pomerol for a great example featuring mostly Merlot complemented by a small proportion of Cabernet Franc.
2009: Left Bank Bordeaux
Bordeaux’s left bank had a chance to shine in 2009, when Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines displayed unparalleled ripeness, richness, and opulence. To fully enjoy these wines, you’ll want to wait a little while for them to mellow out. 2009 Brane-Cantenac Margaux, in particular, will undoubtedly be worth the wait.
2010: Northern Rhone
2010 was an important year for many great wines, including Brunello di Montalcino and Bordeaux, but in this vintage the Northern Rhône stood out for the fresh acidity and silky texture of its wines juxtaposed with delightfully ripe fruit. Condrieu, the white wine of this region, should also not be ignored, but those looking for a red will be rewarded by handsomely rewarded by 2010 E. Guigal “La Mouline” Côte-Rôtie, which comes with a price tag to match its reputation.
2011: Vintage Port
Hailed as the best Port vintage of the last twenty years, 2011 produced across the board stellar wines marked by harmonious balance, impressive acidity, and excellent ageing potential, thanks to ideal weather conditions during the final three months of the growing season. One of the best of the best is 2011 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port, which will be drinking beautifully in about a decade.
2012: Napa Valley Cabernet
After a long and sunny growing season, winemakers throughout California reported one of the easiest vintages in many years. The goal of the vintner that year was simply to gently guide the luscious fruit through the process of becoming wine without intervening too heavily. 2012 Corison Winery “Premiere Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates a notable success in this mission.
2013: Napa Valley Cabernet
This year the Napa Valley continued its winning streak, benefiting from yet another ideal growing season marked by a long, dry summer with lots of sun. 2013 has been hailed by critics as an even more promising vintage than the one before it. Thanks to a bit of cooler weather just before harvest, the 2013s have slightly more acidity than the 2012s, which adds balance to their luscious fruitiness and structured tannins. 2013 Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena is one example that shows excellent promise for a long future.
2014: Sauternes
The 2014 vintage of Sauternes, a sweet white dessert wine from Bordeaux, is not available to the public yet, so you’ll just have to trust us on this one. Some experts are calling it the best vintage in thirty years. The wines have plenty of acidity, which works to balance out the unctuous sweetness lent by the plentiful noble rot of this harvest. Keep an eye out for 2014 Suduiraut Sauternes.