As some of you already know, tomorrow is Open That Bottle Night (OTBN), celebrated the last Saturday of February. For those of you that are not familiar with perhaps the most sacred night on the wine lover’s calendar, the event was started back in the late 1990’s by the then wine writers for the Wall Street Journal, Dottie Gaiter and John Brecher.
The concept is simultaneously simple and brilliant: most of us interested in wine have a particular “that” bottle that we have been safeguarding for years, waiting for the “right moment” or “special occasion” to open it. Invariably, we never open the bottle since we deem the occasion to be not quite “special” enough (usually since Uncle Cletus shows up unannounced again, but that is another story).
So on OTBN, the opening of “that bottle” is the occasion.
Like I said, brilliant.
This year, I started thinking about OTBN at least a month ago, but I have yet to determine what “that” bottle should be. I think I have narrowed it down to a specific decade, though: the 1980’s. I have a few bottles from that decade in the cellar, and they are likely not getting any better (with the exception of the champagnes and the port) so I thought I would thin out the herd a bit.
Here is where you come in, which of the following do you think we should pop?
| 1988 | Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve |
| 1985 | Château Beychevelle |
| 1985 | Graham Porto Vintage |
| 1988 | Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Bella Oaks |
| 1988 | Hugel et Fils Riesling Vendange Tardive |
| 1985 | Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Reunion |
| 1988 | Inglenook Merlot Reserve |
| 1988 | Krug Champagne Vintage Brut |
| 1988 | Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon |
| 1985 | Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon |
| 1988 | Mongeard-Mugneret Vougeot 1er Cru Les Cras |
| 1989 | Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Hendry Ranch |
| 1987 | Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch |
A few 1988s in the cellar
And one more question: What do you think of when you think of the 1980’s? I think of bad hair, bright colors, acne, and trying desperately to look cool (but failing epically).
the drunken cyclist 
My vote’s for the Hugel, because I’d like to read about it. For me, the 80s were about failing to rock a big permed hairdo.
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Yeah, that is certainly one near the top of the list…
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You might consider yourself “Uncool” but all my kids (and I)
LOVE you! By the way, that picture was taken at EPCOT- 1984!!
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And I love all you guys as well! That summer was one of the best ever, by the way!
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I’m on team Riesling (so predictable), but honestly, with those choices you can just as well have a random draw and let fate decide. It’s unlikely you’ll lose.
The 80s’ standout memory for me is an outfit of matching green/yellow/blue fine checkered pants and shirt that my grandma got for me AND my brother AND us wearing that in public. Complete with socks and sandals. Other than that, I was busy trying to be a kid.
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Any pictures of that outfit survive?
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In the non-digital world….and it will stay that way. Better for all involved.
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Two words: Scan. Ner.
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Oh damn, we need that picture. Ollie, u need me to “housesit” for u, right?
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I can tell you when he is going to be out of town…
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What a great idea! My vote goes for the Hugel too! Can I come round??
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Sure!
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The Beychevelle needs drinking. Open and leave for an hour or so? Maybe even decant if you think there’s sediment?
I’m old – 1980s were university and Margaret Thatcher.
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I agree about the Beychevelle. I also have a ’66 of it and been waiting for a moment to compare the two…
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’66! Wow. Great vintage. Really hope it’s been stored properly all these years; looking forward to the tasting notes!!
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I’m voting for one of the Inglenook. If you are going for nostalgia – why not a nostalgic name? For the 80’s I think of all those awful tv shows that had men and cars – knightrider, miami vice, magnum P.I. (wait, I LOVE Magnum P.I.!)… I think I’ll have to open a “vacation” wine. I have a great Bulgarian that I bought in Berlin.
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Great thought–I love those older, historic Napa wines, and they really seem to hold up!
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Still winter–light a fire and open the Port!
PS– Gators, really?
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Yeah, I know. I was working with my Uncle in Orlando that summer. That is the most ridiculous part of that photo.
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Unless you will have a good size company, I would randomly chose any bottle but the Port – that I think is hard to drink the whole bottle of without a good group.
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The port is a tricky one–not only do you need a fair sized crowd, but also one that likes/gets vintage port….
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That’s funny. Before even reading the replies, I was gunning for the Riesling! I maintain that choice! I was ALL about the big hair in the eighties!
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Oh the hair….
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Tough choice as you have many a great contender…
If it were me, I would go for either the Graham’s or the Hugel, but that’s just me.
As to the Eighties, I will accept no badmouthing of that blessed decade! 😉 Musically, I am still kind of stuck there. Especially British punk rock (Clash, Cure…), Quadrophenia, Dire Straits, Depeche Mode, Police, Queen, Stone Roses, U2… and on this side of the pond of course RHCP, REM, The Boss, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Bon Jovi… Hmmm… I am getting nostalgic just writing about it! And yes, the hairstyles, the “fashion” and most of the politics of the time were seriously bad but… I don’t care! I LOVE THE EIGHTIES! 🙂
Enjoy OTBN, whatever you decide to pop, and make sure you select a soundtrack from the Eighties! 😉
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Some great music there Stefano! Hard to choose a fave, but I think I would go with the Police!
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Stefano . . . we’re musical compadres! Depeche Mode and the Cure got me through many an angst filled moment in high school. Or maybe they fueled the angst . . . but it was fun!!
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“Maybe they fueled the angst”—Brilliant observation!
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I’m voting for the Inglenook Cab! I recently purchased a newer vintage and would love to see how it could fare after a few decades! As for me, wasn’t around for the 80’s but it sure looked… interesting!
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I was not around in the 80’s either. At least I have adopted that stance…
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I have my bottle waiting!
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And you are keeping it a secret? I guess I will just have to stop in!
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I’m for Krug, because it’s my favorite champagne…Celebration need bubbles..and U2 music,
1988 was a good millesime for a generous and intense vintage.
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I am just worried that our guests are not much for the old champagne taste…
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I would vote for the Beychevelle too. It’s definitely time !
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I think you are right!
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Go for the Krug! Popped collars, jean jackets with decorative pins and bike shorts with neon splatter paint that no one in the history of the world would ever look good sporting comes to mind when I think of the ’80s…
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Neon splatter paint—I will venture to guess that it will never come back into “style”!
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I am hoping with all of my might that look never finds its way back into “style”!
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I agree with the Beychevelle voters. In the 80’s I was already complaining about the loss of the “Golden Age” of rock, wondering if I would cut my hair, and trying to pretend that I was starting a career and was indeed a real grown up.
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So when did you end up cutting the hair? And why?
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I cut it to become a probation officer. Well, worth it.
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😎
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You can’t go wrong with that list, Jeff! I say let the fates decide . . . throw names into a hat, draw straws, throw a dart. I doubt you’ll be disappointed. I have a wine in mind for tomorrow night, from Hungary. Will try to get a post together in some kind of timely fashion. Tomorrow is also Nat’l Margarita Day (one of my favorite drinks). I may have to pace myself! Looking forward to your decision . . . Salud!
1980s for me = BIG hair, AquaNet hair spray, Polo cologne, skinny zipper Guess jeans, high-top Reeboks . . . AND The California Cooler (not that I drank before I was 21, that would have been illegal). 😉!
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“Let the fates decide”—brilliant idea! Polo cologne and Reebok Pumps were two things I desperately wanted….
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Knowing you’re not a huge Cabernet fan, I suggest you ship one or two to me, and then go with the Riesling. As for the 80’s, it just wasn’t pretty for me. There was a perm, some day-glo orange and just a whole bunch of unfortunate awkwardness.
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Thanks for the offer to take those cabs off my hands! As for the perm, I remember my brother getting one and it was unfortunate as well.
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I am for the Port – but you have so many fantastic choices you can’t go wrong.
The eighties were Punk Rock, frizzy, big hair and leg warmers with my leggings and leotard (was in way better shape those days) for my aerobics classes.
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Ah, the Jane Fonda look—those leg warmers!
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What an great idea, I have quite a few wines myself that just sit in the cave waiting the “right occasion”. I’ll have to go and retrieve one for tonight. I’d say go for either of the bubbles! In the eighties I was too young to chose what I wore, but from the pictures it seems there were certainly a lot of bright colours!
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Tonight is the night to pull one (or more) of those bottles out!
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One of the 1985s – only because I was 21 and life was fabulous (despite being it so fashionably tasteless)! So… eeney meeney miney mo…I choose the Château Beychevelle.
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Yeah, life at 21 is hopefully fabulous for everyone (I was so glad to be out of high school!).
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I wish I could one-up that photo and post the one with my throwback Bucs shirt. One, no one cheered for the Bucs back then. Two, it’s probably the only thing more orange than that.
As far as a bottle, I’d go with the Santa Cruz. I think I was trying to do an Ollie around that year on a Santa Cruz board. That’s the only rationale I can bring to the table.
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Bucs as in Tampa Bay? Wow, that is hard core….
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I am torn between the Beychevelle and the BV. What a wonderful position you have found yourself stuck in. If it is too difficult of a choice, just pack them all up in a carton and bring them the next time you are in Plymouth and I am sure that there will be several bloggers that will help you solve the problem.
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Well, at the last minute, my wife decided to cook and make a breaded chicken. So it looks like it is back to the drawing board!
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My pick would be the Krug for sure. I have a sommelier friend who mentioned that the 88 is drinking particularly well at the moment.
I was born in the 80s, in fact my birth year features heavily on your list, so I can’t say I remember too much about it…
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In the end, I opted for a ’97 Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Alexandra Rosé. Our guests are not big fans of older champagnes, so I thought the ’88 Krug was more of a risk….
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True, plus it means you can keep that one for yourselves 😉
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I was going to say all in an attempt to be funny but instead these ones, because there the only ones I recognize. 1988 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
1988 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
1985 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
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All would have been a great option!
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I realize I am coming a bit late to comment. A nice dilemma you had. It sounds like a question of taste to me – you are comparing French whites, French reds and Californian reds and whites? According to Michael Broadbent, 1985 was his favourite year of this splendid decade. The Beychevelle should be excellent but the Krugs would be hard to pass up.
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