Wines for aging: our entire selection

Apogee of wine

For both red and white wines, a wine's peak corresponds to the few years during which it is most enjoyable on the palate. However, a wine is not undrinkable before this period! It will simply be better if you wait to reach it. A wine's peak is generally expressed as a range of years: best after / best before. This period corresponds to the wine's "mature age," and it is during this time that it will express its full range of aromas.
Many of today's good wines are very seductive in their youth, then close up for a few years before reaching their full potential after aging in the cellar under optimal conditions.

Why age your wine?

Unlike mere temporary storage, aging is the process by which fine wines develop their full potential, reaching the pinnacle of their quality. The desired effect of cellaring, under ideal temperature and humidity conditions, is therefore to allow them to reach their zenith.
The aging period varies depending on a number of factors. Among the characteristics that will influence the evolution of the wine are:
- color: red wines generally keep longer than white wines
- the grape varieties used in the blend
- the terroir, that is to say the wine-growing region (and therefore the soils), and the climate
- the work of the winemakers, in particular the aging stage (in oak barrels, new or used wood)
- the vintage (year of grape harvest)
- the material of the cap, which affects ventilation
Furthermore, the acidity of the wine, its tannins and its concentration will influence its aging potential.
Thus, a Loire or Beaujolais wine will reach its peak between 4 and 8 years, while a great Bordeaux wine may take 20 or even 30 years to reveal itself.

Besides the evolution of the product's intrinsic qualities (tannins, aromas), aging your wine under optimal storage conditions can increase its value. Resale then becomes possible. Certain wines, depending on the vintage, have significant potential for capital appreciation.

What future for wine?

Wine is a living product. And like any living organism, it will evolve over the years. Aging will thus influence the characteristics and overall quality of the product.
That's why the storage of your finest red and white wines must be meticulously controlled. In our cellars, temperature, humidity, light, and even the potential for the bottles to shake are closely monitored.

Generally speaking, the tannins will soften (except in white wines), the acidity will decrease, and the color will also change. The aging process will even affect the wine's texture, giving it more structure on the palate.
In the years of its peak, this results in a wine described as “mature”.
For the reds, the tannins are silkier, the color tends towards brick hues, and the tasting is marked by aromas of leather, undergrowth, candied fruit or spices.
For a Moulin-à-Vent (a typical Beaujolais terroir with granitic soil), for example, from a good vintage, about ten years of aging will profoundly transform the precious liquid. It will offer completely integrated tannins, pronounced notes of undergrowth, and a powerful, structured palate with aromas of wild berries.

2019 vintage wine for aging: the 2019 vintage will have strong aging potential

The 2019 Bordeaux is an excellent vintage for aging. This was far from a sure thing, given the heat waves, drought, and rainy end to the harvest.

The summer of 2019 was relatively long and dry, while the harvest took place with a little bit of rain.

The Bordeaux region was spared from the natural disasters that occurred in the spring of 2017, such as the late frost or the losses that some producers experienced in 2018 due to mildew in particular.

The appellations of Haut-Médoc, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, and Saint-Estèphe have once again enjoyed an excellent year, marking their sixth consecutive vintage. This clearly presents a vintage of potentially very high quality for these appellations, wines built for aging.

In Burgundy, the frost of winter 2018 ultimately caused less damage than anticipated, and winemakers are expecting a vintage with a great deal of freshness in both red and white wines. Burgundy wines should be very well-balanced. However, even if the quality of the grapes was excellent, the quantity is expected to be significantly lower than in previous years.

In the Rhône Valley, as in Bordeaux, the red grape varieties have very high quality potential. The dry white wines are very promising. However, the Southwest and the Loire Valley suffered more from spring frosts and hail, reducing harvests. Yields will certainly be somewhat lower this year.

All these elements suggest that the 2019 vintage will likely be an excellent wine for aging… these initial impressions will certainly be confirmed in April 2020 during the Bordeaux en primeur tasting week.