Pics by: Gemini AI
Text by: Gleb King
When you buy top Bordeaux wines, you not only get the wine now – you get a wine for which the concept of “now” will be applicable for decades further. For those – time is a kind of spice. This is where Einstein’s concept of time’s materiality flourish like Eden’s garden flowers.
Bordeaux is a symbol of long-lasting wines. Why is it so? Of course there are some other wine regions that can boast longevity of their wines – Douro’s Ports in Portugal or Mosel’ Rieslings in Germany – just to mention a few. In general all the wines that are high in tannins, alcohol and acidity are ageworthy. More than that – some of them need time to become digestible. So, for some wines – take Greece’s Xinomavro or Piemonte’s Nebbiolo – time is an irreplaceable ingredient. But in Bordeaux they went even farther. They made their wines’ longevity a brand. Of course, not all the wines from this region are die-hard. We talk about legendary Bordeaux wines that usually spend most of their lives in private collections. They are made to get old and be covered with spiderwebs. Those are not just beverages. They are historical artifacts that encapsulate the artistry of winemaking. They are a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of their respective estates. And of course, they are so – because of all the incredible amount of money spent on their production. Bordeaux’ top wines are competition between some of the richest humans on Earth. Here humanity applies all of its knowledge, time, power and other resources to make the maximum possible out of wine as a concept. And Bordeaux winemakers made time itself to be one of their valuable assets. They made an En Primeur wine futures system where the time is a discount – you buy faster – you pay lower. To understand this system, by the way, read this article about the Bordeaux wine futures system. Below are some of the most long-living wines from the region where getting old is never out of fashion.
1. Château Lafite Rothschild 2000
Drinking window: 2020 – 2060
One of the most prestigious names in Bordeaux, Château Lafite Rothschild is known for its elegance and refinement. The wine is predominantly made from Cabernet Sauvignon, which lends it a remarkable structure and aging potential. Exceptional vintages, such as 1986 and 2000, can continue to evolve and develop complex flavors for decades. Neal Martin tasted it and said that it will be okay until 2060 in which, some of us, compared to this wine, will not be alive.
2. Château Margaux 2015
Drinking window: 2025 – 2070
Château Margaux is synonymous with luxury and quality. Its wines are characterized by their floral notes and silky tannins. The estate primarily focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, creating a harmonious blend. Vintages like 1961 and 2005 are particularly revered for their longevity and depth, capable of lasting well over a century under perfect conditions. But 2015 is considered to be the best vintage of the estate ever made. Today this wine is in its teenage lifetime period and will be fully disclosed maybe after president Trump’s second term. If you respect all the rules of aging, mentioned on Château Margaux’s official webpage, you’ll enjoy it in the far future.
3. Château Latour 1945
Drinking window: 1999 – 2080
The 1945 vintage (the year when World War II ended) is known in general as one of Bordeaux’ wine miracles. In Latour they make big and tannic wines that are built to last. Rich and structured, with a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, the 1954 Latour was opened several times in the 2010s and critics predicted it will save its structure as far as year 2080 – believe it or not. Of course there are some nuances – it all depends on the bottling, on wine’s cellar life and so on. But if all of that is good – Doc Brown, start the time machine, we are going to a place where Château Latour 1945 is still alive!
4. Château Haut-Brion 2010
Drinking window: 2020 – 2100
Château Haut-Brion stands out as one of the oldest estates in Bordeaux, with a history that dates back to the 16th century. Known for its unique blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, Haut-Brion produces wines that are both approachable and incredibly age-worthy. Jeb Dunnuck tasted this wine in 2021, gave it 100 points and said that it's going to have upwards of 75-100 years of ultimate longevity. Is that longevity or immortality?
5. Château d'Yquem 2023
Drinking window: 2023 – 2123
Château d'Yquem is renowned for its remarkable aging potential, and several vintages stand out for their longevity. This is so not only because the wine itself is top quality, but mostly because, being dessert wines, they contain a lot of sugar. Most top Sauternes wines have a potential of aging of at least a century. Yes, you got that right, 100 years is not a problem for Château d'Yquem, it’s not like us. In addition to the 2022 release, the estate unveiled the ‘Time Capsule’ project, which aims to highlight the ageing potential of Yquem’s wines through the release of a very limited number of exceptional bottles from the Château’s cellars.
