Hello fellows. A couple of months back I got drunk with a friend during lunch, and realizing he's turning 60 next year I went on Catawiki and looked for a 1966 bottle to celebrate with him next year.
I saw this lot, of three older Bordeaux, of producers I'm not familiar with. Says to be held in a climate controlled basement in Germany.
Giving the chance they weren't cooked on the way to me (it took a while, got stuck woth customs for a couple of weeks, and it is July), just for the discussion, what're the odds they're still alive somehow?
And don't worry, I'll be opening them to try, just wanted to see if anyone here can pour some light on the producers and vintages.
Cheers!
by torvardi
13 Comments
I think the level looks very okay for this age. Transportation during the heat could be a problem, but it doesnt need to be. Odds should be in your favour if the wines were ageworthy in the first place
For their age, the ullage isn’t as bad as it might seem. The capsules look very good, so there’s a reasonable chance they’ll drink alright
Only one way to know for sure though
The middle one is somewhat famous – a 5th growth Pauillac, current releases retail at around €100/btl depending on the vintage. The other two are far from exceptional, but good. If I had to guess percentiles of total Bordeaux production by volume, the middle one would be in the 98th percentile, the other two around 80th (Bordeaux is a huge region, produces a lot of thoroughly ordinary wine).
Vintages — 64 was rained out throughout much of the left bank so the results are very varied, 66 and 67 had very good potential but it depended on the producer and their yield management.
At the end of the day, these are all very rather old. The fills aren’t the best, but far from awful.
>what’re the odds they’re still alive somehow
Well, the odds are non-negligible. *But it’s at a point where it’s also down to your palate as well as the wine itself.* Do you like the flavour profile reeeeeeaaaaally old claret? If so, there’s a good chance they’re interesting. If not and you’re not used to the flavour of it, chances are you’ll perceive them to be dead dead regardless.
>they weren’t cooked on the way to me (it took a while, got stuck woth customs for a couple of weeks, and it is July)
Why in the world would you have them shipped anywhere in the summer? That’s just calling for trouble. I wouldn’t do it with young, resilient wines. Wines of this age can be exceptionally fragile.
Grand Puy-Lacoste is a classified (5th) growth, so pretty well known – as evidenced by 4 reviews of the ‘67 on Cellartracker. There’s an entry for the Marquis de Saint Estephe on CT, but no reviews of that vintage.
In the years after WW2 Grand Puy Lacoste had a rough period with decling quality due to negligence. The Borie family invested heavily and made a turn around that saw it’s effect in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
I wouldn’t expect much from this bottle, but I would like to try it, nonetheless.
The vintages are poor, but levels in the bottle are acceptable for the age. Some might have some life left inside 😌.
Château Les Ormes de Pez most likely one to be ok, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste possibly but might be too faded. Château La Rose Garaney 1964 probably undrinkable too oxidised.
Please do let us know .
Disagreeing with everyone else. The ullage doesn’t look good, these are likely not drinking great.
One of my favorite (5th growth?) Bordeaux is in the middle in the GpL. And granted they were kept alright, this should still be a banger. Give them all time. Don’t decant them. Open and rip.
Sometimes the may be muted and you need to give them time to open up. Other times, they show well right away. But sometimes they only show a window of their beautiful selves and they turn into dry water to never return. Drink them and usually drink them fast. But they should be terrific.
Tough vintages with the Lacoste having the best chance. Wouldn’t invite over the emissaries.
The 67 Grand Puy Ducoste if cared for well should be a great one. Not sure about the others.
It’s a fifth growth from a fairly reasonable year.
Drinkable? 100%. Enjoyable? 70%+ they look pretty good for their age.
It looks like a lot of fun regardless of the outcome! Somebody’s got to drink them, may as well be you.