Where (or even how) to purchase old wine?
 

S/O's 40th is coming up in a couple of months, and I have been tossing around the idea of purchasing a wine of her vintage.

We have both become enamored with wine over the last couple of years. I feel that our wine knowledge has really increased as well and that this wouldn't be a wasted experience.

We occasionally have small tasting at the house with a good core group of friends. It has been a fun journey! Don, I blame you. ;) We couldn't have done it without you!

I assume the big box stores are most likely not the most ideal for this type of search. We have a few specialty shops in Houston that could possibly source a bottle? I assume it's just a hope and a prayer that the bottle was stored properly? If finding an old red is too cost prohibitive (pretty good budget - but not a DRC budget) would it be a good idea to perhaps try and find two 20 year olds - maybe a white and a red?

We do have our preferences, but I have a feeling that beggars can't be choosers.

Thanks guys.

Wine-searcher.com
- but hit or miss for old ones

so, next try Old & Rare Wine Co. - you will pay for them buying it from a 'collector'

K&L is another one with a good stock of old wines

a good Chenin Blanc white can last 50 years...

also possible there is a snooty wine store raht thar in Texas...

if not Hous-town, the Dallass or Fawt Wuth

Ostentacious has the big UT campus + tech so may have a good retail store too

I found a couple, one 60 bucks and the other $360 on just one vintage wine site. They are apparently out there. Nothing on eBay.

These older wines seem to be in the 200 to 600 range on average, some more, a few less. The one thing that popped up (no pun) is that after shipping older wines, they must lay still for anywhere from one week to 4, depending on age, to let the sediment settle for a clear wine.

Better get shopping!!

There isn’t a lot of wine that benefits from 40 years in a bottle, most of what comes to mind comes from Bordeaux and Burgundy and some of the champagne houses. To get something highly rated you’re going to be spending between 500 and 1000. That kind of money buys you a better wine in a different vintage, the choice is yours.

I forgot to mention the possibility that you can uncork a bottle that old and find it undrinkable. It happens.

What about vintage port or whisky/brandy? I also think the big port houses do 40y tawny bottlings.

You're still going to pay! Drinking things older than you is a young person's game.

I have 90% of a bottle of bourbon that was distilled when I was in utero (1974) then barrel aged 16y. At one serving/birthday I'll probably make it to 60.

I purchased my wife a vintage watch that was made the same year she was born.

She loved it. Food for thought.

That may be a good idea. We both thoroughly enjoy from CDP. I'm sure for what I'm willing to spend we could find one that has a better chance of being taken care of properly and is am exceptional vintage.

Damn y'all have given me great ideas to spend my money! This may be a winner for a special occasion watch.

I'm a big fan of old Armagnac. I'm sure she would enjoy, but I don't think it would be as special for her as me.

First off. WTF? You know that she's *almost* as old and Sue and I, right? Would you be dating someone my age? Would you date me? Hmmm??? :p


Second, when I turned 40, I didn't want a bottle of wine that was as old as me. I wanted to go on a bar hopping binge to prove that I could still kick the ass of kids half my age, and that's what we did.

Speaking of which, we should have another Houston Pelican drunken orgy. Er, get together. Quiet get together.

Vintage bourbon or Scotch should be easy to find. I have some dusties that are over 50.

If Keef ever puts his "other" band together...y'all sure are some X-Pensive Winos :)

We have all gotten old! Hell, I'm coming up quickly on 33.

I'd love to have a hang out with all the Htown guys, but damn this city is big. We are spread out all over.

An armagnac like Darroze 40 should be relatively easy to find if needed.

Go buy a bottle of 2019.....blink a few more times....give the old wine to yer old lady ;)

Wow, time flies! Weren’t you 18 when we first met?

Now that Einar’s shop is in the city we should have a Houston Pelican meetup there.

Call me. I have connections. There is an unassuming little shop in North West that has a "back room".

Pick a place and a time! SmileWavy