The Auswine Forum

Hi there,

Have an occasion tonight and opening 2 bottles of 1995 389s.

It will be served in a decanter but do I need to give it some time to aerate prior?

Reading around some people are saying you can drink older wines straight up or it may go off if you let it expose too long.

I'm thinking opening 1-2 hrs prior should be ok?

Any thoughts would be great.

Many thanks in advance.

I'm a bit confused. Are you opening 1995 Bin 389 or 1996?
Anyway, I'm assuming the bottles have been well stored, so:
The 1995 I'd pop an pour. It is about 6 years past its best and may not last a decant.
If it is the 1996 then about 30 minutes should do it and drink over the next couple of hours.
Not sure how experienced you are with wine so I'd caution if you have 2 of the same bottle, I would not decant both into the one decanter. One bottle per decanter because both will be slightly different or worse you pour a corked bottle into a good bottle . It would be a great exercise to compare the taste of the two bottles side by side to see the 'bottle variation'.
Good luck. Let us know how you went.

Thanks!

Sorry I have both bottles, more of the 1995.

Yes I have more than 1 decanter.

I'll try those times.

Hopefully the wines are in ok condition.

The title of your post says 1996 but your post refers to the 1995 - you may want to clarify.

If you're talking about the '96 you have no worries about it being an older wine that will fade or go "off" in the decanter - it's still young, it can take a lot of decant time. It's a great vintage and though I haven't had this 389 the '96 Koonunga Hill is still drinking well.

Mahmoud.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13077&start=0&hilit=Grapemates+389

Not sure if of any help