Older Vintage Wine

Certain wines, a very few, evolve and improve with age. The layers of complexity that result in these years in bottle are a primary reason collectors invest and store wines for the long term. The intricate flavors and delicacy in older vintage wines can amaze and delight the palate.

Wines that often improve with age include Barolo and Barbaresco, from the Nebbiolo grape, Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and other regions in California, but also certain wines from Australia, Argentina, Washington State and elsewhere. The classic collector wine is Bordeaux, and in the best vintages these wines can age for 5 or more decades. Burgundy can also deliver age-worth examples. Rioja Gran Reservas are often released after some ageing in barrel and bottle, but can continue to age well. The Northern Rhone wines, with the Syrah grape, soften and gain much with some bottle age. And of course, the best vintage Champagne will linger and evolve in a most complex way for decades.

While these are classic examples, nearly every region has potential, and the best producers will work hard in the best vintages to craft a bottle for long-term ageing.