When buying wines to cellar, would you taste one to find out if you wanted to buy it, or research it?

Question

I talking of buying a case of wine. Buy the case and open one. Or cellar the lot and pray it turns out nice.
Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
by Perrin et Fils

I hate wine spectator

On the job we call it wine dictator. Because we are a fine wine and spirits shop, we of course carry it. But since we are in Canada, it is usually irrelevant.

Answer 1

Well, although Wine Spectator has its pros and cons, it can be useful for the inexperienced who are looking to invest a large amount of money in a case of wine that they are unfamiliar with. Gismondi is not bad, but he doesn't always give his opinion on a maturity window. Our Canadian publications are great for Canadian and American wines, but I find that for some French wines, their reviews take so long to come out that the stores are into the next vintage. Vines, Wine Access, and Tidings all seem to be guilty of this.

I would suggest that if a person is going to buy a whole case of something ageworthy (usually at least $40-75 a bottle) then they'd better know something about that wine's track record, the vintage it's from, and whether they've enjoyed an aged bottle of that wine before.

I was recently at a tasting of mature Bordeaux, where half the group really did not like any of the older wines. Even the 1983 Leoville Las Cases which was a brilliant wine, received mixed reviews from those that just didn't care for the style of wine that Bordeaux becomes when properly aged.

Since most of the people I hang out with can't afford to buy a case of anything, we usually buy things in threes. One bottle to open early, about a year or so after purchase, then another to open at 5 years, and the last one to enjoy at maturity.

Hopefully, by using this approach, one day when we have the money to sink into a full case, our experience will know which wines are the sure bets and we'll also know from tasting the young wine whether it will go the distance.

Answer 2

Frankly, I would always taste some before I even buy a full case of the wine. However, if that isn't an option for you, talk with the winery, or more specifically, the winemaker. Alternatively, if you know someone who works in the wine industry and has for a number of years, see if they know anything about what you are looking at. You mentioned that you were in Canada but since I'm not sure where you are, I can't make specific recommendations on who to get in touch with. However, if you try to get in touch with any of the following wine writers, they may be able to help you out:

Konrad Ejbich
http://www.winewriterscircle.ca/members/kejbich.html

Tony Aspler
http://www.tonyaspler.com/pub/home.asp

Billy Munnelly
http://www.billysbestbottles.com/

Edward Finstein
http://www.winedoctor.ca/

Anyone of these guys really knows their stuff when it comes to wines and could probably answer some questions for you. I have worked with all of them on several occasions as I am a Wine Consultant myself. Personally, I would recommend trying some before buying any at all because only you will know if you will like it. When it comes to the age ability, they will need to know the vintage of the wine you are buying to be able to give you more information. Best of luck.

Answer 3

Best way is to taste it and research it. Research the vintage and how good that year was. Might be a great wine, but the year your looking at buying it rained too much-then not so good. If you don't like wine spectator try Robert Parker then. Get some great wine advice and ideas.

Answer 4

Unless you are very experienced, it would be difficult to judge how well a wine will age.

A wine that may suit you palette in its current state may not be a wine that will age well.

Therefore, I'd research the wine (Wine Spectator) and I'd taste it to train my palette for future purchases.

Answer 5

definitely! it all depends on how and where you are purchasing it from. if there is a single bottle then try, or open the first and if you don't like, then try to sell the other five. check out the web info on the wine and you should be able to check the "futures" info on it. you can send me an email if you want to talk about this more.
good luck

Answer 6

only way is to taste it !!!!!!!!!!!!!