“This was the very first wine I had where the light bulb went on and I fell in love with wine. It was in 1991, it was Christmas dinner and I was 21 years old. Before that everything alcoholic that I drank came out of a hose attached to a keg.

My parents pulled it out of their cellar and it was like cashmere in a glass. It was six or seven years old and cabernets from the Stag’s Leap region are called an iron fist in a velvet glove. They are already pretty silky smooth but with some age on it, it was a really good wine.

We had it with prime rib and it was the perfect combination. I didn’t even smoke but I had to step outside and have a cigarette. I was like, ‘Ah, I get it.’

The next day I subscribed to Wine Spectator and became obsessed. Ever since then, wine has been my life.

My parents still like wine but they don’t live and breathe it like I do.

I have had it every now and then since but the price has gone up. It’s pretty expensive. It’s still a delicious wine — plush, rich and silky smooth. It’s a luxury product but I think my palate has changed since then. I have learned to appreciate acid in wine. I love Champagne and I love German riesling — a typical somm palate!”

 As told to Rebecca Gibb

Fast Facts:

1985 Stag's Leap Cask 23

Grape Variety: cabernet sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley

Average bottle price: $338

Available: from 6 merchants