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+--- Thread: I have this unique bottle of wine...need help (/thread-17807.html)
- Jayleigh - 04-29-2003
I'm new here and don't know too much about wine collecting, but I do like wine, so I guess that helps me fit in some. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]
Anyway, I came here specifically to ask a question to see if anyone might have a ballpark answer for me or at least direct me somewhere where I can get an answer.
I have a bottle of wine that my mom passed along to me. She got it a number of years ago as a Christmas present from Burt Reynolds (the actor...she used to work for him). The bottle is vintage 1973 Merlot, but the important thing about it is the label. I'm not at home right now so I can't give you specific details, but I can generalize and maybe someone out there knows of or has seen another one of these.
The label has a painting on it by a famous painter of western images (it's of horses and cow rustling or some such thing). The label is numbered X out of something like 200 (not very many) and has the artist's signature on it. Also, it has "Best Wishes, Burt Reynolds" stamped on it. Okay, so including the vintage (1973) and the uniqueness of the label, the fact that it is a numbered (and very limited number at that) production, and has Burt Reynolds' name on it obviously given as a gift, what do you think this bottle of wine may be worth? I know it'd be better if I could tell you the artist's name, but I can't remember and I'm not at home now to look at it.
Has anyone out there come across another of these or heard of one that could possibly give me some idea as to its value? If not, can someone direct me to a wine appraiser who might be able to help me place a value on it for insurance purposes? Thanks to anyone who can help!!
- stevebody - 04-29-2003
Gonna really need more info for an educated guess but we can play Wine Sherlock for a moment:
I've been an actor all my life and worked for Burt at his playhouse in Jupiter, Florida, on a couple of occasions. He knows and likes wines and has a pretty impressive cellar. So, if he gave a wine at all, he might have known enough to give a good one. That said, it's a 1973 and it's a Merlot. Even with Burt's signature, it may be vinegar by now. As any Bordeaux lover knows, Merlot can age beautifully but a CA Merlot? My half-a__ed guess would be two things: 1) It ain't gonna get any better, and 2) Drink it now, unless you can find a committed Burt fan to sell it to. If it's not already vinegar, it might be nice but probably faded, and sort of raisiny. Hope that helps!