+- WineBoard (https://www.wines.com/wineboard)
+-- Forum: RESOURCES AND OTHER STUFF (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-300.html)
+--- Forum: Collectibles/Auction News (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-5.html)
+--- Thread: what's the bad news for my 68 proprietors reserve (/thread-1795.html)
- pjay - 11-16-2002
To: those w/ knowledge
I was up late looking for some info on 3 Cabernets a friend has and I got hooked. Thanks for the entertainment as well as the abundance of information.
The wine has been stored in a cool, dark, basement, for what it's worth.
No leak, just dust, labels are mint.
Sebastiani-1968, there is also a special label w/ PROPRIETOR'S RESERVE a fine wine of unusual distinction personally selected by the winemaker. With a printed sig
I really wanted to just b/s with you, I will however, continue to look through the board. Great stuff. peej
- Bucko - 11-16-2002
With scrupulous storage, it may be drinkable.
- winoweenie - 11-17-2002
Hi Pjay and welcome to the board. Have a spare bottle as it's 85/15% against. WW
- winecollector - 11-17-2002
Hi Pjay, and welcome aboard! I tend to buy older wines like those from time to time... and there are several things I look for. First of all, is the fill level of the bottle. If it is still into the neck of the bottle, that's a good sign. Second, I hold the bottle up to a light bulb and check the color and clarity of it through the glass. If the wine is neither cloudy or browninsh in color, there is a good chance it is not oxidized. The wine you have should look clear and still be reddish in color... the darker red the better, though it will likely appear light red. Third, I feel the top of the cork and determine if its slightly swelled out passed the top of the wine bottle. This would indicated a saturated cork. As I find wines like these in my cellar, I open them a.s.a.p., as they will only go bad if they haven't already.
Even if it passes those tests, there is still the chance the wine could be corked... and there is really no way to tell that without opening the bottle. Also, upon opening, you will likely find the wine lacking fruit, oak, and most likely tannins as old as it is... but it still could make for a smooth and pleasant drinking experience for you and your friend.
My recommendation- since your friend has 3 of these babies, open the bottle that has the lowest fill level and most questionable color, and see how it is. That way, if it is still good, the other two bottles may make for an even better experience. Let us know what you discover if you choose to do this. Good luck!
- pjay - 11-19-2002
Thanks everyone for the replies.