Hi all – I'm considering a bottle of 1993 Dom Perignon and a seller near my home sent me a photo of their stock. All four bottles look quite different (not sure if it's just the lighting) and I have no clue how to decide which one is drinkable other than to avoid the second bottle from the right… Any suggestions or tips would be much appreciated!
by quintontse
9 Comments
Unless they were stored in a temperature and humidity controlled environment you’re wasting your money. If they were then you’re fine buy a bottle that looks intact and no signs of past seepage. Of course the labels are going to look different it’s a 20 year old+ bottle
That’s tough.
The black label is not the DP label but the importer who brought it into America. The original label might be behind it. It has the best fill level, which means it might stand the best chance at tasting good. Less evaporation and thus hopefully still a good seal from the cork. Color appears to be ok
The second from the left was originally shipped to an Asian market. How did it get from there to here? Was it shipped in a cardboard box on a container ship with no refrigerator? Fill level is second worst. Color appears to be similar to left.
Second from the right appears to potentially have been meant for an English speaking market but then imported into an Asian market and then found its way here is my best guess. Again, this bottle has potentially traveled more than most Americans. Was it done safely? But the most concerning part of this bottle is the color. I’ve never seen DP in that dark of a color. Something seems really off. Fill level is also the worst of the 3.
The one on far right has the best color IMO. Back label shows that it’s seen some rough handling. Fill level appears to be 3rd worst.
Honestly, all 3 of these bottles are a gamble. As is any 3rd party purchased wine. All of these could have been left out for a week in the middle of Texas during summer. View it as going to the casino in Vegas. Don’t spend more than you’re willing to lose. You may open the best one and it could still taste like vinegar.
Far left would be my choice. Color looks more or less where it should and the fill line is great.
How much are they asking per bottle?
Look at the color each bottle is different.
They are oxidized. Faults in the bottles. Improper storage. Don’t waste your money.
Instead get one bottle of Grand Siecle from Laurent Perrier. 100 points, limited availability. Worth it.
If you must get a vintage Dom, 2013 was nice.
Storage storage storage. How were they stored?
While they all have different back labels, implying different importers and purchased at different times/places, I would imagine for most of their lives they’ve been stored together. Considering that one of them is dark af, and likely oxidized as all hell, I would imagine that means all of these have been improperly stored. So it’s a big gamble on whether any of these are worth paying for.
The color scares me. I wouldn’t risk money on them
Drink the one on the right, sell the other three