Hello all,
I know pretty much nothing about wine, and have come across this forum in hopes that someone can answer a query.
I've recently purchased a home and upon moving in, I found tucked away in a cupboard a couple of bottles of old wine. I was reluctant to do anyting with it (read chuck out) prior to at least finding out if that's the sort of thing I should be doing!
If anyone can assist, that would be great. If there's a site where I can search this out myself, if someone could point me in that direction, that would be good too
The first bottle's labels are half worn off, so I don't have a lot of info - It's a Wynns Coonawarra Estate and it's a Cabernet Hermitage. The rest of the front label wording is gone - the picture if a b/w of a farmhouse and it has a red diagonal strip going through it. The back label is again mostly missing. What's there is "This bottling is from a... cuvee exceptionnelle... in which the grape... cabernet sauvi... tage have b..." I know, not much help!
The second bottle is in better shape - front label has Produce of Australia at top, follwed by a crest and 'in vino veritas' Then a Private Bin in scroll letters and B.V. 33 - 1972. Then the label reads "Bin BV 33 is a Claret style made from 85% shiraz plus 15% Mataro grapes grown exclusively in the Barossa Valley. Vintaged in 1971, the wine was matured in large oak prior to bottling. A very well balanced win in acidity, body and tanin. Specially selected for Douglas L Lamb (A Division of Hunter Vallye Wine Co. Pty. Limited) There is no label on the back.
So - if anyone can let me know if I should be chucking these out or not, that'd be great! I can be emailed at aiesho@netspace.net.au (preferred) or via PM
Thanks!
Scott
Question: What is it?
Hi Scott,
Basically you've got two quaffers and I'd assume they are both from the early 70's ...As a result they are probably past their best unless they have been exceptionally well cellared.
...They are not golden auctionable gems if that's your thought...I'd open them both and they could be interesting aged wine or vinegar.
The first wine is a Wynns "Red Stripe" Cabernet Hermitage (Shiraz) blend which is an icon quaffer and still sells buckets at about $15 per bottle with the same label but now referred to as Cabernet Shiraz Merlot. Used to be better than it is now but always a good reliable BBQ wine. Try the Wynns website if you want more info but I'd just drink it.
The second wine is more rare but still not a trophy...Douglas L Lamb was a Sydney based wine distributor who bottled quite a few wines under their own label (one of my brothers gave me a mixed dozen as an engagement present in 1970). The wine is obviously a Barossa Valley Shiraz/Mataro (Mouvedre) which may have come from Barossa Valley Estate Coop (similar to a retailers house label today)and I seem to remember it wasn't a bad drop although way past it's best now...drink it for interest or chuck it if it sux.
Let us know what it's like.
Cheers
MartinE
Basically you've got two quaffers and I'd assume they are both from the early 70's ...As a result they are probably past their best unless they have been exceptionally well cellared.
...They are not golden auctionable gems if that's your thought...I'd open them both and they could be interesting aged wine or vinegar.
The first wine is a Wynns "Red Stripe" Cabernet Hermitage (Shiraz) blend which is an icon quaffer and still sells buckets at about $15 per bottle with the same label but now referred to as Cabernet Shiraz Merlot. Used to be better than it is now but always a good reliable BBQ wine. Try the Wynns website if you want more info but I'd just drink it.
The second wine is more rare but still not a trophy...Douglas L Lamb was a Sydney based wine distributor who bottled quite a few wines under their own label (one of my brothers gave me a mixed dozen as an engagement present in 1970). The wine is obviously a Barossa Valley Shiraz/Mataro (Mouvedre) which may have come from Barossa Valley Estate Coop (similar to a retailers house label today)and I seem to remember it wasn't a bad drop although way past it's best now...drink it for interest or chuck it if it sux.
Let us know what it's like.
Cheers
MartinE