Dereck Hicks
Apr 21, 2012, 06:06 PM
Chateauneuf du Pape ? I think it's 1975.
setexenv
Apr 23, 2012, 06:03 AM
Dereck, 37 years is an awful long time to store any wine and expect it to be good. First, it has to be a wine that lends itself to aging for a long time. Obviously, some wines do lend themselves for even longer periods of storage and aging. Most wines aren't. Most wines will be past their prime after 37 years. Second, Wine has to be stored properly during the storage period. This means storage at proper temperature (not room temperature, but much cooler) during the storage period and it should be protected from temperature swings, unusual vibration, and light. Also, it should be stored on it's side to keep the cork moist and tight against the neck of the bottle preventing air from entering the bottle. Having said all that, you could still open the wine and aerate it for a while and try it. If it reminds you of vinegar after an hour of aeration, that's because it probably is vinegar now. If I recall correctly, it is recommended to replace corks after 30 years. Also, you may have trouble removing the cork after 37 years. It may break up. If you have a local restaurant that actually has trained sommeliers on their staff, you might ask them to open and evaluate the wine for you on your next visit to the restaurant. Paying their standard corkage fee for enjoying this wine if it good enough to drink would be appropriate or a tip for opening, decanting, and aerating the wine would also be customary and reasonable. Check with the restaurant head waiter/sommelier to find out what their policies are.
Curlyben
Apr 23, 2012, 06:30 AM
The most important thing here is the producer.
That being said, as 75 was NOT a good vintage it is most likely way beyond it's best.