Resolution to avoid wine infanticide...

I almost opened a bottle of Calvet Reserve des Remparts 2003 St. Emillion the other day. I received it as a gift, only have the one, and know nothing of it other than, hmmm, three year old Bordeaux - boy, opening this now might be really stupid. That got me thinking about quite a few bottles we own, many of them gifts, and when to drink them. So, anyone who knows these wines, I'd appreciated suggested drinking windows and any other comments on them.

Calvet Reserve des Remparts 2003 St. Emillion

Chateau LaGrange 1996 St Julien

Marques de Riscal Rioja Riserva 1998

Domaine du Cayron 2001 Gigondas

Domaine Les Pallieres 2001 Gigondas

Cuvee Champtenaud 1999 Saint -Joseph

Vincent Girardin Vielles Vignes 2003 Gevrey - Chambertin

Sky 1995 Mt. Veeder Zin

Sky 1990 Mt. Veeder Late Harvest Zin

Chateau Lafon - Rochet 2000 Saint- Estephe

Seguret 2001 Cotes du Rhone Villages

Franciscan Oakville Estates 2000 Cabernet Savignon

Castle Rock Russian River Valley Reserve 2004 Pinot Noir

Murphy Goode Terra Lago #4 2002 Cab


I'd also appreciated knowing if any of these are in danger of fading soon.

TIA

I'd open the castle rock immediately-to use for cleaning bicycle parts, 'cause it certainly aint drinkable as wine

The following are of course merely opinions.

Wines I've had:
Chateau LaGrange 1996 St Julien
This is the one I've had 4-5 times, and each time I think "wow, this is a really good wine, but it really needs time." My resolution is not to touch again till 2010.

Chateau Lafon - Rochet 2000 Saint- Estephe
I haven't had since release, but won't open my lone bottle any time soon. Most 2000 left bankers are shut down right now. I'd give 2-5 years.

Wines I haven't had, but have had other vintages of:
Marques de Riscal Rioja Riserva 1998
Haven't had this vintage, but this is typically a fairly light and early drinker- I'd pop myself.

Domaine du Cayron 2001 Gigondas
I had the '90 last year, and it was doing fine. But I seldom have a Grenache dominated wine that I think NEEDS time. You're probably fine now till 2010. Don't know the Pallieres.

Franciscan Oakville Estates 2000 Cabernet Savignon
Don't remember havig the 2000, but this is usually a pretty solid mid-tier CS. It is usually a bit heavy on the wood, and the 1997 never really integrated. I think I'd personally rather opt for now with a steak rather than waiting to

Castle Rock Russian River Valley Reserve 2004 Pinot Noir
I think this is intended for early drinking.

Wines I haven't had, but still have opinions on:
Vincent Girardin Vielles Vignes 2003 Gevrey - Chambertin
With 2003 a freakishly ripe year, for most part I'd be cautious re cellaring
Girardin makes (or made in case of reds, think he's stopped) wines in a rather forward style.

[David M. Bueker]

The zins need to be drunk up.

The Cayron is sturdy for a Gigondas, so I'd wait a couple of years.

I have decided in my old age that cellaring wine is both risky and overrated. My resolution is to err on the side of drinking 'em younger. I'm sick unto death of opening bottles that are either past their peak or mysteriously "dumb."

(I will keep on cellaring champagnes, though...Diebolt Valois "Fleur de Passion" 2000 is still a bit young...)