Six for Now, Six for Later Collection
by Anthony Lynch
Cabernet Franc in the cellar
© Gail Skoff
Save some for later and enjoy a real treat down the road—after all, the lasting joy in opening a great old bottle at the right time truly can help us to age like a fine wine.
Cabernet Franc in the cellar
© Gail Skoff
Save some for later and enjoy a real treat down the road—after all, the lasting joy in opening a great old bottle at the right time truly can help us to age like a fine wine.
Six for Now, Six for Later Collection
by Anthony Lynch
We often say we wish to age like fine wine, rarely considering that very little wine—even within the subset of what might be considered “fine”—is meant to withstand aging. I, for one, certainly hope to age like the very best grand cru crafted by a master vigneron in a perfect vintage. To achieve such a destiny—for your wines, that is—you should consider a number of factors.
First, knowing your personal preference is crucial to hitting the sweet spot in the curve of a wine’s evolution. Aged wine is not necessarily better, and it is not unheard of for great producers in prestigious appellations to have a strong preference for younger wines, even if their own bottlings are capable of long aging. If you prefer fruit and vivacious freshness to the earthier nuances of old wine, the answer is simple: drink ’em up, before they start tasting stale to you.
Another crucial factor is proper storage conditions. Should you lack a chilly basement, wine fridge, bomb shelter, or subterranean limestone cave, you might consider aging your wines for a shorter length of time, or simply consuming them immediately upon acquisition.
Assuming good storage and an appreciation for the mystique of uncorking old wine, one must judge which bottles will most benefit from cellaring. Terroir, grape variety, and vintage are the first and foremost determinants of a wine’s overall balance, which is generally understood to be the key to longevity. But vineyard and winery decisions—yields, aging vessel, filtration, type of closure, and countless other factors—are just as important in governing whether a wine’s life span will more closely resemble a short-lived fling or a long-term affair.
This collection includes a set of two bottlings (one for now, one for later) from six regions: Chardonnay from Burgundy, Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, Marsanne from northern Rhône, Gamay from Beaujolais, Nebbiolo from Piedmont, and Sangiovese from Tuscany. While every bottle is enjoyable right now, each set features one example meant for immediate consumption and one capable of significant aging. Opening both wines of a given type will reveal the differences that inherently make one more age-worthy than the other: heightened complexity, intensity, and structure, for example. Alternatively, save some for later and enjoy a real treat down the road—after all, the lasting joy in opening a great old bottle at the right time truly can help us to age like a fine wine.
Wines In The Collection
Ferretti Italy | Tuscany
Ferretti’s first-ever release delivers all you could ask for in a great Brunello.
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont
As seamlessly as it will pair with all kinds of dishes, from a seared pork chop to cacio e pepe—you don’t even need food. It is that graceful!
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
From vines that are more than eighty years old comes this Marsanne with magnificent floral, pit fruit, and bitter notes.
Jean Foillard France | Beaujolais
This cuvée shares the satin texture of all Foillard Morgons, and should age similarly well for those willing and able to wait.
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
May Adventures ~ Vinified with a gentle, terroir-focused touch—few reds will slake your thirst with the ease and finesse of Cuvée Alouettes.
Italy | Tuscany
Ferretti’s first-ever release delivers all you could ask for in a great Brunello.
Italy | Piedmont
As seamlessly as it will pair with all kinds of dishes, from a seared pork chop to cacio e pepe—you don’t even need food. It is that graceful!
France | Northern Rhône
From vines that are more than eighty years old comes this Marsanne with magnificent floral, pit fruit, and bitter notes.
France | Beaujolais
This cuvée shares the satin texture of all Foillard Morgons, and should age similarly well for those willing and able to wait.
France | Loire
May Adventures ~ Vinified with a gentle, terroir-focused touch—few reds will slake your thirst with the ease and finesse of Cuvée Alouettes.
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