Expert: Paul Wagner - 11/19/2009

Question
Hello Paul,
I received a case of liquor from and old friend who is moving and doesn't drink.  In the case he gave me are several wines from the late 60's and early 70's.  Also in the box, was a couple of Cognacs.  One is a Remy Martin Napoleon Grande Fine Champagne in a red box, the other is a Courvoisier Napoleon Cognac that is numbered and looks like it was meant to be sold through a distributor in Japan (Caldbeck Macgregor & Co. Ltd.).  I'm just wondering if these bottles are worth anything?  Your help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

Answer
Hi Ron

While the wines are probably dead to the world, distilled products like Cognac are so high in alcohol that they don't change much, for better or for worse, over time.  The good news is that these are probably still very nice to drink.  The bad news is that they won't have appreciated in value the way some fine wines do.  I'd estimate these at about $45-50 a bottle.

But they should be good!  Open them up and enjoy them with family and friends.

Hope that helps.

Paul Wagner