As some of you already know, tomorrow (the last Saturday in February) is Open That Bottle Night (OTBN), which was an event originated back in the year 2000 by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, the revered then-wine-writers at the Wall Street Journal (yes, the same publication in which my wife recently appeared [she is the one on the left]—Warning: don’t read that article unless you are in the mood to be really sad). The premise of OTBN is fairly simple: Most wine drinkers that have more than a few bottles in the house, have at least one bottle that they covet above all others. They are saving that bottle for a special occasion: perhaps a promotion, the birth of a child, your team winning the national championship in football.
For whatever reason, that bottle is not opened: the event never comes (you get fired), the event is deemed not worthy (your sister-in-law turns out to be a complete, well, “bad person” and you never get to see the kid), or the event is not all that special (you are an insufferable Michigan fan, in which case, you will likely never celebrate a national championship).
So the bottle sits, waiting to be enjoyed.
Thus the brilliant idea set forth by Gaiter and Brecher was to make the opening of the bottle itself the event. Their theory was, essentially, that you have waited long enough for the “right moment” but that “right moment” might never come, so just Open That Bottle.
We have “celebrated” OTBN at least the last ten years and look forward to it each year. Over my years of being a wine snob, I have amassed a few “that bottles” so I am fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it) to be able to choose from a few to open for each time. This year, I have narrowed it down to five.
The Contenders:
1999 Domaine Remy Bursot Le Duo de Bourgogne Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes: I bought this wine at the winery back in 2002 while leading a bike tour through Burgundy. We had stopped at this little producer in Chambolle-Musigny somewhat on a whim, and ended up doing a two-hour plus tasting. The first hour, the tasting was lead by Remy’s 12-year-old son since his mother and father were still out in the vineyard tending to the vines (for the second hour, Remy joined us). I have consumed two of the three bottles of this Pinot Noir (the last in 2012) that I schlepped around Burgundy on my bike–and both have been fabulous.
1971 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Clos du Bourg: I bought this Chenin Blanc off an online “friend” of mine several years ago and you likely do not want to know what I paid (it was not much). I visited Domaine Huet for the first time this past fall–a couple of years after the much talked about departure of the legendary wine maker, Noel Pinguet (who left, seemingly, as a result of a conflict with the relatively “new” American owners). This bottle, though, predates Noel by a few years, when his father, Gaston, was the winemaker.
1997 Mailly Grand Cru Champagne Cuvée les Echansons: This bottle was given as a gift from a good friend after we rode our bikes through the Alpes and then on to Champagne (the picture on this blog with all the champagne loaded onto the back of the bike comes from that trip–in fact, this bottle was one of those on the bike!). It comes from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Mailly Grand Cru, which is a co-operative located in the middle of the village of Mailly.
1979 Château Les Ormes de Pez: I am not entirely sure when I acquired this classic Bordeaux blend bottle, but I do know that I got it in an online auction, it comes from one of the top Cru Bourgeois producers (it was, in fact, one of the 9 wineries to receive the top Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel designation in the now defunct 2003 classification, but that is for another article). I also know that this wine is not getting any better and, in fact, is likely in decline.
1976 Deinhard Winkeler Hasensprung Riesling Auslese: We drank the first bottle of this a couple of years ago when Oliver (The Winegetter) was in town. As some of you may know, Oliver is as close to an “expert” on German Riesling as any of us will ever likely know, so it seemed like a good fit to open it with him. Well, similar to the Ormes de Pez, this is likely not getting any better, but I have been waiting for the “right” time to open it (I can’t wait for Oliver to come back to Philly forever).
So which wine do you think I should open this year?
the drunken cyclist 
The Riesling…definitely the Riesling….
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Yeah, that first bottle certainly was goo and interesting….
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I would definitely open the Les Ormes du Pez – that wine is definitely not improving in your cellar and old Bordeaux is always fascinating, if not pleasurable. My second choice would be the Huet – those old wines almost never disappoint.
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I agree—there is no chance that is getting any better!
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I think you should start with the Vouvray then open the Bordeaux. Whatever you select they all look awesome! I wish I had some old French wines but alas mine are all babies and won’t be opened on Saturday. Enjoy!
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Hi Michelle, it doesn’t have to be old to be a special bottle. I have a few bottles I have been saving for special occasions because they were not my “everyday” wines, but today is all we have, so why not go for it. 🙂
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I do agree with you Beth; however, my baby Napa Cabs will be soooo good around 2020ish that I just cannot bare to open them yet. Last year I opened a youngster and it was very good but this year I am holding out. I have a couple 2002s so one of those may have to be sacrificed. I look forward to seeing what you select. Cheers and have fun!
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Napa cabs are tough for me since many of them show their best at a relatively young age….But on the other hand, I do love some age on my wines!
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Then we need to grab some Conn Valley older Cabs when you visit!
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Yes, it is often fun to open an older bottle, but there are risks, as you know!
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I will have to enjoy wine vicariously this month as I’ve given it up until after Easter. So far it’s not so bad though I do miss sharing a glass with the hubby at dinner.
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What? That is why I could never be a Catholic 😉
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Me either. Just a challenge to myself but I’ll catch up!
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How did it go–did you finally catch up?
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I would go with Huet – 1971 Vouvray should be interesting.
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I agree, but I think of all of them, it has perhaps the most life left, no?
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I’d go for the ’76 Riesling Auslese. Cheers!
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Just found out that we are going to a BYOB here in town and I am not sure if the friends we will be dining with are that “in” to old wines.
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The 1979 Les Ormes de Pez. Since it is only likely to decline and not get better. I am doing the same opening a 1991 that may or may not still be good.
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That is actually my fear with this one—we are taking it to a restaurant and if it is not any good, that would be bad!
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1979 Château Les Ormes de Pez or the 1976 Deinhard Winkeler Hasensprung Riesling Auslese, based on what you wrote: the first is probably in decline and you are unsure of the second. Or make this OTBN the one when you open at least two. 🙂
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Well, the plan is certainly for two, but one has to be the Mailly since we are dining with the guy who gave it to me!
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Good call. I don’t think you can really go wrong. 🙂
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On my way!
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I LOVE this concept and somehow have never heard of it before now (?!) Looks like you have some fantastic contenders! I’ll be popping open a bottle of Jacquesson to sip while watching the pre-release of “A Year in Champagne”!
Cheers,
Alison
http://Www.bonvivantdc.com/blog
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I will be watching the movie this weekend as well!
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Tough call! I think you should preclude the Auslese and the Bordeaux from this demanding consideration since they need to be drunk anyway… Why not go with great celebratory champs or open the burgundy and toast to the young man who served you all those years ago – who can today open a special bottle of his own to enjoy on this special day. Either way, I look forward to seeing what you decide! I’m flying solo with the three kiddies tomorrow so am on the fence as to whether a special bottle should be opened… Cheers!
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Honestly? That was the way I was leaning initially!
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I say the ’79 Bordeaux… Cheers!
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Seems to be the consensus!
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Well I vote for the bottle that is in the most decline at this time. Otherwise, won’t it just get “not as good?” (as opposed to worse, as it seems they would still be fabulous).
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Precisely right…
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I love the idea of OTBN! I’d go for the Château Les Ormes de Pez: first 🙂
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Looks like the way I am headed….
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I would totally go for the 1979 Château Les Ormes de Pez: I would gladly swing by for a sip myself! 😉
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You should have!
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I would turn it into a week long event…
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I knew there was more than one reason why I loved you!
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