I am having my brother and his wife over this weekend for dinner. I am thinking of opening one of several wines. I would like your recommendations on what to open and how long to decant each wine. Here are the candidates.


1992 Dominus
1998 Pride Reserve Cabernet
2001 MP Integrity
1996 Sterling SVR Cabernet Reserve
1994 Insignia
1995 Insignia
2001 Pride Merlot
2001 Pride Cabernet

My brother recently returned from a year in Iraq, hence the special wines. Actually, the Integrity is going to get opened regardless so I really need decanting recommendations on that one and suggestions for the best of the rest. Thanks.

1992 Dominus- open and taste immediately. It might benefit from up to a half hour, but it's pretty much ready to go when opened.

1998 Pride Reserve- a guess. Open and drink immediately.

2001 Integrity- open and give it an hour and then drink it slowly with something like cheese over an additional two hours and follow its metamorphosis.

1996 Sterling- no idea. Probably won't need much time.

1994 and 1995 Insignia- maybe a half hour to an hour.

2001 Prides- I wouldn't open them yet.

Of the wines you list, the 1992 Dominus would be my choice as the best and most ready of the lot. Second choice would be the Integrity. I'd give the Insignias a few more years.

Best to your brother, I am glad he is home safe.

The Pride 1998 Reserve is drinking very well right now.
Pride 1998 Reserve TN

The 2001 Pride Merlot is also drinking very well right now, albeit young. I love a young Pride merlot.

I would wait on the 2001 Pride Cab.

If you go with the Integrity, don't hesitate to give it plenty of airtime. When I opened one for Lafon's B'day dinner I decanted in an open decanter at 8:00 am, and poured it about 9:00 PM - it showed no signs of slowing down whatsoever.

I had the 92 Dominus, the 94 Insignia & the 95 Insignia. All 3 are excellent wines. If opening one of those, @ this point, I would go with the Dominus (1 hour decant).

Glad your bro is home safe.

i'm with board-o except i would give the integrity at least 4 hrs of decanting. have fun and thank your brother for me, for his service to this great country.

I'm also with Board-O. If you're opening without decanting I'd give the '95 Insignia at least an hour. Maybe an hour and a half. The '96 Sterling could use a good half hour. The Integrity is very interesting at an hour on. You'll probably like it best at around 2-3 hours of air (no decanting). Decant the '01 Pride Merlot at least an hour, or open it a good 2.5-3 hours before drinking.

I've not had the '92 Dominus, but that would be my first choice of the bunch, followed by the '01 Integrity and the '94 Insignia. Whatever you do, drink the Integrity last.

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All I'll say (other than congrats and thanks to your brother) is that the '95 Insignia is rockin' right now. I had it about a month ago & it was my 2nd favorite red wine of the year, just behind the '00 Cailloux Centenaire.

My many thanks to your brother and I hope you guys have a great time Saturday night.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and notes of thanks for my brother. I will pass them along to him. The Integrity will be the last wine of the night for sure.

Yeah, the 92 Dominus should be fantastic.

It was.

from the drinking thread, it sounds like you had a great time.

It was a great night. The Frank Family Chard was drinking great with the scallops. The 92 Dominus was awesome with the filets and the Integrity was smokin' with the chocolate mousse cake. We also had some Rosemount Old Benson Tawny Port and 1997 Chateau Guiraud Sauternes. We were still talking and sipping after midnight (after starting at 6pm). My brother and his wife are not big winos like me but he really enjoyed the whole evening. He was especially impressed with the Integrity and the Old Benson Port ( good taste if you ask me).

Thanks to everyone for the reccommendations and the support for my brother's service in Iraq.