I tend to forget about those single bottles of older wine in my storage, and periodically make an effort to find and consume some of them. Here are the (happy) stories about two recent instances.
1997 Walla Walla Vintners Windrow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (13.8% ABV): This wine cost ~$30 when purchased in 2000. It was lush smelling and dark, with full flavors of black cherry, other fruit and some spice. After dinner, I added inert gas to the bottle and returned it to my wine storage. I tried it again 3 days later and it was still wonderful. I stored a small remaining amount the same way and tried it again 2 days later. Although drinkable, the wine was showing some stress and was definitely gasping for life. I was very pleased with how well this wine aged, as well as how well it withstood periodic exposure to oxygen while I was drinking it.
2001 Domaine Borie de Maurel Cuvee Alex Minervois (13% ABV): This wine cost ~$22 when I purchased it 3 1/2 years ago. It is a blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Mourvedre, and 15% Grenache. It is dark and spicy with concentrated flavors of blackberry and raspberry. This is definitely a wine to look for. I placed the remaining wine under inert gas after last night's dinner, and have not tried it again. I am quite sure this wine will shine again when I have it with dinner the next night or so.
-- Clark