Expert: Paul Wagner - 2/18/2008

Question
Hi.  I have a full bottle of 1864 wine.  The label says: Grand Cama De Lobos, produced and shipped by Blandy's Madeiras-Solera 1864. It has never been opened.  I also have a wooden cask with a wooden cork in the top.  On the front is written GUIGNOLET- FANTAISIE. Can you tell me anything about these?

Answer
Hi Jann

These are two very different stories. THe Blandy's Madeira should be very nice wine, but it wasn't made in 1864.  A solera is a system of blending young wines with old so that the final wine melds all of the flavors into a wonderful whole.  The solera for this wine was begun in 1864...but the wine certainly dates from much later.  Having said that, Madeira is wonderful stuff--full of flavor.  It has a nutty character that is very nice with savory cheeses. And because of the higher alcohol levels, Madeiras often last for decades--the best for centuries.  If you can determine bottling date for this wine, you might even find that it has some value--the best sell for over $100 a bottle, but this one is probably about half of that.

The barrel is another matter.  Because barrels allow oxigen to enter the wine, this is almost certainly quite faded and tired.  I wish I had better news on that one, but I would be surprised if it were very drinkable at all. Sorry. It won't hurt you, but I doubt that it will taste good.  It would have no value on the auction market.

Paul Wagner