Everyone should have some sort of beverage collection in their home, whether you drink shortly after you buy, or if you wait for special purchases to age. As for me, there are two types of cellars (or collections) I use: an RTD (Ready To Drink) and a special or aging cellar.
- My RTD: a simple wooden nine bottle rack which is in open air at room temperature. These wines have either been aged for a sufficient amount of time or were created to be ready to open and drink. Most white wines will go on this rack since they are made in this style- with some exceptions. I keep some inexpensive buys on it with a good variety for choosing when friends and family visit. That variety should include styles (sparkling, rose, red, etc.) and countries/regions. Plus I always keep staple wines on the rack for everyday use, especially when cooking or watching sports.
- Special/Aging: Some wines are special to you and may not be fully mature. Some time on the shelf will help bring it up to full potential, but it should be kept in best possible conditions. That is why I use my Cuisinart. It keeps the wines at an ideal temperature (I keep mine at 59°F). It is also ideal to keep wines in a slightly humid environment with no light, movement, or vibration. If you get a great deal on any special wines, make sure you buy at least two- one to store, and one to drink!
Here are some of the wines I keep in my collection:
1997 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia - Retails around $245. This is one of the many great Super Tuscans originally made
2000 Gaja Barbaresco. Retails around $225. Made by the family that put Italian wines back on the map, this is Angelo Gaja's favorite style. Barbaresco had been overshadowed by Barolo for years until Angelo turned it into one of the greatest wines in the world. These wines have bright acidity and ripe tannins which help them reach excellent maturity, bringing out truffles, leather, and tar, along with its fruitiness.
2001 Tignanello. Retails around $85. Another Super Tuscan great from the Antinori family, this wine is one of the originals. The vineyard has been producing excellent wine for about 40 years. This is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. I love the earth and barnyard, along with the dark cherry, and smooth texture. Italian vintages have been great this millennium, with the exception of '02, giving consumers an extremely wide selection.
2005 Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador. Retails around $90. Achaval Ferrer continues to make the world's greatest single vineyard Malbecs, and this vintage is strong and dense, giving it more aging potential. The awesome dark fruits, chocolate, and vanilla notes will carry on for some time as the wine matures. I am going to love this wine with some grilled lamb and chimichurri in the future.
2005 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta. Retails around $85. This is not only a fantastic blend of Carmenere, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, but is also the '08 wine of the year. Currants, blueberries, new oak and cherry wood, cocoa, and mint run down in layers on this complex, gi-normous wine. This wine can take you from a broiled filet dinner to a rich chocolate layer cake and beyond.
2005 K Vintners Cougar Hills Syrah. Retails around $60. In the land of blending, this winery keeps producing exceptional single varietal wines. The Cougar Hills Syrah is smokey and peppery, with an abundance of minerality, plum, and a touch of kalamata olive. It has grainy tannins, good for food and aging.
2005 L'Aventure Cote a Cote. Retails around $60. This is a stunning Rhone varietal blend from Paso Robles, comprised of equal parts Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. Ripe cherry and strawberry are surrounded by cracked black pepper and a bouquet of floral aromas. I am going to really enjoy this in the coming years.
2003 Chryseia P+S. Retails around $45. A Portuguese blend from the Douro, made up of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Cao. This is the most balanced wine I've come across in this price range. Bright red cherry and plum are accompanied by licorice, bittersweet chocolate, and espresso. The grape tannins, plus aging in new French Oak give this wine flavor, texture, and the ability to ripen and mature.
