It’s the gift that keeps on giving: a bottle of well-chosen plonk every year from a child’s birth, with a view to presenting them the whole perfectly matured batch on their 21st birthday. But choosing a collection is all about precision timing as well as discernment.
Article by Donald McFarlane Photography by Andy Barnham
The legal drinking age might be 18 this side of The Pond, but 21 is also the age here at which one is truly considered an adult (and a visit to any high street branch of a teen-filled chain pub on a weekend night will support that view). And, recently, it has become quite the fashion in Britain and elsewhere to bestow upon a son, daughter, nephew or niece a collection of bottles of wine or spirits for their 21st birthday.
With that quest in mind Riddle, in association with Berry Bros & Rudd, have developed the definitive list - a collection that starts this year with a port, and concludes in 2034 with arum. Mixed in the middle are red and white wines, champagnes and the classic Number 3 Gin by Berry Bros & Rudd. Every year a specific bottle is recommended, so that when the 21st birthday occurs, the wine or spirit selected will be at its most vibrant.
2014: 1994 Graham Vintage Port (£75)
2015: Bordeaux Château Léoville Poyferré, St. Juliens (£95)
2016: 2008 Nuits-St. Georges, Les St. Georges, 1er Cru, Thibault Liger-Belair (£72)
2017: 2011 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz, Southern Australia (£92)
2018: 2007 Contino, Vina Del Olivio Rioja (£58)
2019: 2006 Barolo Cru Monprivato, Castiglione Falletto, Giuseppe Mascarello (£65.50) “An iron fist in a velvet glove”
2020: 2011 Hermitage Rouge, Le Gréal, Domaine Marc Sorrel (£95)
2021: Mullineux Granite, Swartland, South Africa, Syrah (£79)
2022: 2010 Ridge Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyard (£150) “The piece de resistance”
2023: 2008 Domaine Pichard, Madiran, Cuvée Aimé (£27.95)
2024: 2006 Champagne Pierre Peters, Cuvée Spéciale, Les Chétillons (£70)
2025: 2010 Chateau Coutet, Barsac (£62)
2026: 2006 Champagne Mailly, L’Intemporelle Rosé, Grand Cru (£57.20)
2027: 2010 Clos Blanc de Vougeot, 1er Cru, Domaine de la Vougeraie (£72)
2028: 2009 Neiderhauer Hermannshohte Riesling Auslee Gold Cup, H. Donnhoff Nahe (£80)
2029: 2010 Ridgeview Estate Knightsbridge, Blanc de Noir, Sparkling (£31.95)
2030: No 3 London Dry Gin by Berry Bros (£36.50)
2031: 1980 Armagnac J. Nismes-Delelou (£89)
2032: Delmain Vesper, Grande Champagne Cognac “Focuse” (£100)
2033: Suntory Yamazaki Distillers Reserve (£45)
2034: 2001 Berry’s Own Panama Rum (£49.50)
Riddle would like to thank the London Shop Manager Francis Huicq for assisting our team in the formulation of this list.
Berry Bros & Rudd, 3 St. James’s Street, London. SW1A 1EG 0203 301 1500