– New-world reds in an old-world style: Heitz Martha’s Vineyard, Corison.
– Champagnes: Jerome Prevost La Closerie Les Beguine, Fac-Simile Rose, Krug, Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill
– Other favorites: Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva, Domaine Tempier Bandol.
I’m looking for something so good, it helps me forget I’m getting older. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated—thanks in advance!
mattyc565
I’d go Napa or Bordeaux. Tons of great stuff that vintage from both regions. I just got my brother ‘85 Heitz Martha’s as a birthday gift for his 40th; in the past I’ve drunk ‘85 Opus, Robert Mondavi, and Cos d Estournel with him, all incredible.
Use Winebid, great source for back vintage wines in my opinion. Hope that helps.
onehandtoucher
Salon for champagne for sure. Life changing stuff. 02 is one of the best wines I’ve ever had. 02 might be out of price range though? Haven’t checked in a while.
rnjbond
1985 Château Cheval Blanc and 1985 Solaia. Combined will be under $1,500
pizzasliceee
some possibilities from CA
85 Ridge Monte Bello, 85 Phelps Eisele
kjakcrew
Interesting idea. I love it. Happy hunting. How far back could you go? Could I find something for my 52nd birthday in April? 1973 too far back???
ultravioletneon
I did this last year (1984 wines) with similar criteria. I ended up picking two bottles from WineBid, although I had others in mind from various sources that just didn’t work out timing-wise.
I narrowed my choices by checking what was available via auction, then peeking at CellarTracker and similar for reviews within the past year. If reviewers indicated that the wine wasn’t awesome at the 40y mark, I removed it from my list. If someone had opened the bottle within the past year and enjoyed the experience, I shortlisted it.
I ended up with two Napa cabs. One was fine, one was excellent. I spent well under your budget threshold.
aubertvaillons
1985 Sassicia
Burchus
1985 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG
Icy_Pay3775
Get a box, okay sick ass music, sing, hang with friends, and invest 140 bucks the next day into a burrito and a nap
Im_Anonymous86
Why do 1? 1985 diamond creek Cabernet horizontal
gmb87
I might go 1985 vintage Krug or Deutz or a similar 85 vintage champagne, or 85 Cheval-Blanc or Chateau Margaux if you prefer the Bordeaux route. 85 was a great vintage, much better than my birth year of 87 at least for old world (which is my preference).
zeke_vino
For 1985, William Kelly reviewed a few Champagne in the past few years and Dom Perignon and Bollinger Grande Annee are attainable regardless your location. Both were tasted in 2020 and he gave drinking window up to 2030, so as long as you like aged Champagne and the wine has been stored properly, there’s no concern that the wine is over the hill. For what is worth, he gave 94 for Bollinger and 95 for Dom. That said, given this, I think a good amount of well made champagne from that vintage are still drinking well.
It won’t cost $1,200 in any way, so you should be able to get another bottle of red you like for $800+ probably.
FocusIsFragile
1985 Sass is choice. With money left over for a 1985 Burg flyer on WineBid.
I would suggest that you call K&L and speak to a (Bordeaux) buyer. I did it when I was after a 1982 Pichon-Lalande. I got the single person responsible for the collection who went into the cold storage, chose a few wines, and sent me photos of the ullage and corks.
I believe I got to him by calling the main line at (800) 247-5987, explaining what I was after (and that I had an appropriate budget), and asking to speak to the Bordeaux buyer.
17 Comments
copy from the image in case people can’t read it:
Hey friends,
I’m celebrating my 40th this year and would love some help picking out a bucket list wine or two to make it really special.
Criteria:
– 1985 vintage.
– At or very near its peak drinking window.
– Budget: ~$1,200 USD or less for one bottle or up to $1,500 USD for two bottles combined.
– Ideally not impossible to find, though I’m willing to go on a hunt if it’ll be worth it.
What I enjoy:
– Old-world reds: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Brunello, Rioja, Barolo.
– New-world reds in an old-world style: Heitz Martha’s Vineyard, Corison.
– Champagnes: Jerome Prevost La Closerie Les Beguine, Fac-Simile Rose, Krug, Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill
– Other favorites: Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva, Domaine Tempier Bandol.
I’m looking for something so good, it helps me forget I’m getting older. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated—thanks in advance!
I’d go Napa or Bordeaux. Tons of great stuff that vintage from both regions. I just got my brother ‘85 Heitz Martha’s as a birthday gift for his 40th; in the past I’ve drunk ‘85 Opus, Robert Mondavi, and Cos d Estournel with him, all incredible.
Use Winebid, great source for back vintage wines in my opinion. Hope that helps.
Salon for champagne for sure. Life changing stuff. 02 is one of the best wines I’ve ever had. 02 might be out of price range though? Haven’t checked in a while.
1985 Château Cheval Blanc and 1985 Solaia. Combined will be under $1,500
some possibilities from CA
85 Ridge Monte Bello, 85 Phelps Eisele
Interesting idea. I love it. Happy hunting. How far back could you go? Could I find something for my 52nd birthday in April? 1973 too far back???
I did this last year (1984 wines) with similar criteria. I ended up picking two bottles from WineBid, although I had others in mind from various sources that just didn’t work out timing-wise.
I narrowed my choices by checking what was available via auction, then peeking at CellarTracker and similar for reviews within the past year. If reviewers indicated that the wine wasn’t awesome at the 40y mark, I removed it from my list. If someone had opened the bottle within the past year and enjoyed the experience, I shortlisted it.
I ended up with two Napa cabs. One was fine, one was excellent. I spent well under your budget threshold.
1985 Sassicia
1985 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG
Get a box, okay sick ass music, sing, hang with friends, and invest 140 bucks the next day into a burrito and a nap
Why do 1? 1985 diamond creek Cabernet horizontal
I might go 1985 vintage Krug or Deutz or a similar 85 vintage champagne, or 85 Cheval-Blanc or Chateau Margaux if you prefer the Bordeaux route. 85 was a great vintage, much better than my birth year of 87 at least for old world (which is my preference).
For 1985, William Kelly reviewed a few Champagne in the past few years and Dom Perignon and Bollinger Grande Annee are attainable regardless your location. Both were tasted in 2020 and he gave drinking window up to 2030, so as long as you like aged Champagne and the wine has been stored properly, there’s no concern that the wine is over the hill. For what is worth, he gave 94 for Bollinger and 95 for Dom. That said, given this, I think a good amount of well made champagne from that vintage are still drinking well.
It won’t cost $1,200 in any way, so you should be able to get another bottle of red you like for $800+ probably.
1985 Sass is choice. With money left over for a 1985 Burg flyer on WineBid.
Vega Sicilia
I just had an 85 Moulin-Touchais which would be a great cheap add on to finish the night. [https://whwc.com/moulin-touchais-coteaux-du-layon-1985/](https://whwc.com/moulin-touchais-coteaux-du-layon-1985/)
I would suggest that you call K&L and speak to a (Bordeaux) buyer. I did it when I was after a 1982 Pichon-Lalande. I got the single person responsible for the collection who went into the cold storage, chose a few wines, and sent me photos of the ullage and corks.
I believe I got to him by calling the main line at (800) 247-5987, explaining what I was after (and that I had an appropriate budget), and asking to speak to the Bordeaux buyer.