Answer by: Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
That's a great question, as many American collectors have cellars full of California cult wines with no proven record of improving with lengthy bottle aging. Some of these wines may benefit from cellaring of 5 years or so while others may simply reach a plateau, or fall apart over a longer period.
I can give you my personal recommendations for selected California red wines that do have a history of developing beautifully in bottle. Most are wines that would be considered to be closer to classic Bordeaux rather than part of the current fashion for ultra-ripe, high alcohol examples. Here is a very short list of A league cellar-worthy wines:
Ridge Monte Bello
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa
Dominus Estate Proprietary Red
I also admire Peter Michael Les Pavots although its history is shorter. Some might add Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, generally a more opulent style.
A second group is more variable, but certain vintages have performed very well:
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Opus One
BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve
Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon & Howell Mountain
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (all vineyard selections)
About the Expert:Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade, and he last served as a senior executive with a major national importer. In 2006, he launched Millesima USA, a retail entity affiliated with Europe's leading fine wine mail order company. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993, and he has been very active as an educator and speaker at wine festivals and conferences. He hosts a community television program entitled "Wine's Simple Pleasures," and is currently working on a book of original recipes and wine pairing solutions. Visit Roger C. Bohmrich, MW's website: MILLESIMA USA LLC
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