The wine room at Mazzaro’s holds more than 1,500 bottles. It’s one of the most extensive selections in town, but what makes it truly special is the team.
Alan, Jim, Jack, Rob H., and Rob Y. don’t just know the inventory. They walk the aisles, talk with customers, and offer expert guidance, whether someone says “I’m into Chianti,” or just “I’m having fish for dinner”. They’re approachable, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely love sharing wine.
So I asked each of them:
If you could put away one of the wines to age, what would it be—and why?
Because for every bottle meant to be opened tonight, there’s another worth waiting years to enjoy. Curious which ones they’d hold onto? Here’s what they picked.
Table of Contents
Alan Schwartz “Al Vino”
Pick to Age: Stemmari Hedonis Nero d’Avola ($45)
Alan’s pick is a Nero d’Avola from Sicily, a wine he describes as big, bold, sassy, and smooth. He says it fits him perfectly as a hedonist, especially when it comes to wine.
“I’ve never had anything as big, bold, sassy, and smooth. If I’m ever stranded on an island, this is the one I’m taking.”
The 2015 vintage, he says, is nowhere near its peak, even after ten years in the bottle, and could age for another century. For him, there’s nothing else in the room quite like it. At $45, it’s a great step into aging without making a significant financial investment.
Alan is also the former owner of Bistro Al Vino in Aurora, Colorado. Read how the restaurant helped keep him going through cancer.
Jim Poling
Pick to Age: Gaja Barbaresco ($350)
“Barbaresco in a heartbeat.”
Jim’s choice is Barbaresco, a wine he gravitates toward without hesitation. The grape is full of flavor, and while the range of producers is wide, he notes you don’t need a high-priced bottle to enjoy it. A good Barbaresco, he says, hits every tingle in his heart. The bottle he’s chosen is a beautiful example, and he would give it five to ten years in the cellar.
Jack Herr
Pick to Age: Roagna Barolo Pira DOCG ($226)
Jack’s recommendation for a wine to age is Barolo. The great ones earn high ratings for how they taste now, but the real question is when to open them. His approach is to buy a case and open one every five years to find the peak. A Piedmont enthusiast, Jack loves both Barolo and Barbaresco.
“I’m a Piedmont lover, like the rest of us.”
He also notes that Montepulciano is the store’s top seller. These big, bold, dry reds are easy to drink, age beautifully, and are available in over 25 options, priced from $13 to $50.
Rob Horvath
Pick to Age: Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino ($75)
Rob H. points to Brunello as a classic choice for aging. The 2015, 2016, and 2019 vintages all delivered excellent quality he says, and 2021 is already generating significant buzz. Although scores have yet to be released, he expects it will be an outstanding year. His pick is a bottle he would confidently set aside for 20 to 25 years, with some lasting even longer if kept in their original environment. Wines that aren’t moved or shipped, he explains, tend to age at their best.
Rob Yandek
Pick to Age: Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana IGT ($925)
Rob Y.’s first thought for a wine worth aging is Barolo. His actual pick, though, is the Soldera Case Basse, made from 100% Sangiovese.
“I’d put this bottle away for a long, long time. I would get in a lot of trouble buying this.”
At over $900… I couldn’t agree more. He considers it a truly special wine, one he would set aside for decades—waiting 20 years if he could. He expects it to show something remarkable in 10 to 20 years. For those looking for another option, he adds that a good Brunello is also an excellent choice, with many reaching their peak between five and ten years.
Final Sip
Asking to pick just one bottle to age isn’t easy. Most hesitated, joked, or gave me a look before narrowing it down (I get it, it’s a tough decision!). But each of these five landed on a wine they believe in.
That’s part of what makes Mazzaro’s wine room stand out. With more than 1,500 bottles on the shelves, the selection is impressive. But it’s the team—Jack, Jim, Rob Y., Alan, and Rob H.—who make it navigable. They’re not just selling wine. They’re sharing stories, building trust, and helping people discover bottles that might just become the best thing they never knew to look for.
If you’re thinking about aging something for the future, this is a good place to start. And a great place to ask.
Curious about how to store bottles like these properly? Read what it’s like to take WSET Level 1 in Tampa.
