Short-term agers

B

Ben Hunting

Ben Hunting
I came across an enlightening 2010 post from the VLM Translucency Report regarding aging "little" wines for 2-3 years post release, e.g. Baudry Domaine. I wondered if anyone had their own suggestions for French wines of this ilk and whether VLM had an update?
 
The VLMTR is but a shadow of its former self and we are all the poorer for that.
OTOH, he does stalk these pages so, perhaps on his next siting . . .

And as for suggestions, Louis Michel, Chablis; don't let the screwcap fool you.

Best, Jim
 
I routinely age some "lesser" wines for a few years after release. Some examples are: Dom. de la Pepiere Muscadet SeM, Dom. de la Terres Dorees (JP Brun) Beaujolais L'Ancien and Edmunds St. John "Bone Jolly" Gamay Noir. As a rule, they don't improve greatly with age, but they certainly don't decline, either.

Mark Lipton
 
Recent vintages of Louis Michel have felt to me a bit less like Chablis and more like nice unoaked, cool-toned chardonnay from somewhere. I like the wines, it's just been awhile since one truly excited me.

I don't drink as much Chablis as some around here though, and I haven't drank any of Michel's 2010s (yet).
 
Regarding the original question.

Coudert, Pepiere and Baudry - already mentioned.
Burlotto pelaverga
Burlotto nebbiolo (Langhe)
Huet petillant
Michel Lafarge, either the regular Bourgogne or the l'Exception
Dupasquier mondeuse
Texier CdR-Brezeme. No experience aging the basic CdR.

Sadly many wines that used to be in this category are no longer due to scarcity or escalating cost (often both): Rougeard Clos, Bachelet CdNV, Puffeney poulsard, CRB cot, etc.

I've been looking for a cheap German or Austrian red in this category - would love to have a cheap e.g. 1L zweigelt that is consistently delicious and becomes more something interesting in the 1-3 year term if you don't drink it all. There's something about that alpine character.
Limited success, although a recent bottle of Knauss trollinger was very encouraging.
 
Lafarge Bougonge at 10+ years is well worth the wait.

I'd really love to find some decent AOC Chablis to drink at a couple years. Maybe Picq's?
 
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
I'd really love to find some decent AOC Chablis to drink at a couple years.
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have you considered identifying premox bottles of 1er and grand cru from famous chablis producers? can be a nice drink 18 months in
 
Dupasquier Mondeuse is not a petit vin. Both Gamay and Pinot better 5-7 years after vintage if stored properly.
 
Monpertuis Counoise as said above, Balthazar CdR, Gonon CdR. And the target was France but to expand a little, anything from Broc or the Bea San Valentino. I also go through lots of Trousseau and Poulsard (and Pinot Noir) from non-big-name producers in the Jura in this way, very happily. Certain importers specialize in this sort of thing, might be worth seeing if their portfolios are available in your market.
 
Thank you everyone for all of these fantastic suggestions.

My wife and I love Jura and Savoie wines - we went on holiday to the Jura this summer even. (It rained a lot.) I've liked all the Dupasquier wines I've tried but haven't seen many of them recently at CSW, where we shop mostly. Maybe they keep selling out. Will age some poulsards.

I guess, to depart from the VLM's remit, I'm looking for sub or around $30 wines that will actually benefit from short-term aging. Many wines in this price category usually seem to need at least 5 years of aging but, judging from your suggestions, the Piedmont represents a good opportunity for short-term aging when buying Langhe Rosso and Barbera from the best producers. Would this also apply to Dolcetto? Do others short-age Montsecondo Chianti Classico? And any Sicilian reds?

I must say, I'm particularly excited by affordable library releases like the 2002 Olga Raffault Picasses -- very happy to hide some bottles of that away, whether or not it improves, just so that I can keep enjoying it. I wish there were more library releases like this.

Yesterday, I bought some 2011 Rousset Picaudières and hopefully it will do well in the short term. Otherwise, you seem to suggest the Gonon, Texier, and Balthazar lesser bottlings are where it's at for short-aging Northern Rhone.

NV champagne makes a lot of sense.

Has anyone had experience aging Thierry Navarre's wines?
 
originally posted by Ben Hunting:
Thank you everyone for all of these fantastic suggestions.

My wife and I love Jura and Savoie wines - we went on holiday to the Jura this summer even. (It rained a lot.) I've liked all the Dupasquier wines I've tried but recently haven't seen many of them at CSW, where we shop mostly. Maybe they keep selling out. Will age some poulsards.

I guess, to depart from the VLM's remit, I'm looking for sub or around $30 wines that will actually benefit from short-term aging. Many wines in this price category usually seem to need at least 5 years of aging but, judging from your suggestions, the Piedmont represents a good opportunity for short-term aging in this price range when buying Langhe Rosso and Barbera from the best producers. Would this also apply to Dolcetto? Do others short-age Montsecondo Chianti Classico? And any Sicilian reds?

I must say, I'm particularly excited by affordable library releases like the 2002 Olga Raffault Picasses -- very happy to hide some bottles of that away, whether or not it improves, just so that I can keep enjoying it. I wish there were more library releases like this.

Yesterday, I bought some 2011 Rousset Picaudières and hopefully it will do well in the short term. Otherwise, you seem to suggest the Gonon, Texier, and Balthazar lesser bottlings are where it's at for short-aging Northern Rhone.

NV champagne makes a lot of sense.

Has anyone had experience aging Thierry Navarre's wines?
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Flavio Roddolo makes a strong case for aging dolcetto. At least certain ones.
I'd add Guion Bourgueil and Roally to the above mentioned.
 
originally posted by Ben Hunting:
[...]

I guess, to depart from the VLM's remit, I'm looking for sub or around $30 wines that will actually benefit from short-term aging. Many wines in this price category usually seem to need at least 5 years of aging but, judging from your suggestions, the Piedmont represents a good opportunity for short-term aging when buying Langhe Rosso and Barbera from the best producers. Would this also apply to Dolcetto? Do others short-age Montsecondo Chianti Classico? And any Sicilian reds?

[...]
Click to expand...

From Montesecondo, for 2-3 years, perhaps the Rosso, more than the Chianti. In Langhe Rosso, Vajra is pretty good @ about $16 or less.
 
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