The Auswine Forum

Hi everyone,

I've received a box of wine bottles, and I'm seeking some advice on whether they're past their peak or are still good to drink.

There are five bottles:

- Swift Cuvee brut, bottled 07/11
- Printhie chardonnay pinot noir vintage 2015 brut
- Arras Brut Elite cuvee No.601 (maybe from 2015)
- Champagne Ayala brut majeur that says "bottle was disgorged in 02/2017"
- Taylors pinot noir chardonnay brut cuvee (no dates)

I'm hoping someone could provide advice on whether they're still good to drink. I've attached several photos. Thanks in advance for your help. Any notes on these wines will be appreciated. Cheers

They all look good, especially the Ayala and Arras. Despite the Printhie and the Swift being from the same producer I lean towards the Swift because of the disgorgement date and the lees aging. For my own part I think they will all be fine drinks and would rank the quality in the following order: Ayala, Arras, Swift, Printhie, and Taylors.

Let us know what you think whenever you get around to drinking them.

Cheers ....................... Mahmoud.

Gee 15 years between posts, welcome back Esther
Perhaps the Arras and Ayala might still have something, think the Taylors would be vinegar...don't know about the other two.

Cheers Craig

Mahmoud Ali wrote:They all look good, especially the Ayala and Arras. Despite the Printhie and the Swift being from the same producer I lean towards the Swift because of the disgorgement date and the lees aging. For my own part I think they will all be fine drinks and would rank the quality in the following order: Ayala, Arras, Swift, Printhie, and Taylors.

Let us know what you think whenever you get around to drinking them.

Cheers ....................... Mahmoud.

Hi Mahmoud, thanks for your thoughts. Good to know that they're still good to drink. Do you think any of them can be cellared for longer?

phillisc wrote:Gee 15 years between posts, welcome back Esther
Perhaps the Arras and Ayala might still have something, think the Taylors would be vinegar...don't know about the other two.

Cheers Craig

Haha, yeah, I was looking at this forum and remembered I had an account! It's strange the Taylors one doesn't have a date. How would one know how long to possibly keep it for? Or it made to be consumed as soon as it's purchased? Thanks

I agree with Craig about the Ayala and Arras but one thing does nag at me and that is the storage conditions.

My friends and I opened the Arras on the weekend and I'm happy to report it was bubbly and relatively bright. It wasn't in peak condition, but it was enjoyable!

That is good news. Keep posting as you drink through the bottles.