Expert: Paul Wagner - 6/13/2009

Question
I have a bottle of this wine that was given to me by a friend years ago.  It's been kept on its side and is currently in my wine cellar.  I was drinking whites for many years and put this one aside. Can you estimate its value if it's in good condition?

Answer
Dear Kim,

I am afraid this bottle is past its good years. If it is indeed from Chateau Leboscq or Le Boscq (note spelling different from yours), it is from a respectable cru bourgeois.  Even though 1979 was a good year in Medoc, this would NOT have been one of the more intense examples of the vintage, and so should not have been aged more than a few years.  It is probably a pale shadow of its original self.

Current vintages of this wine are being sold in the $15-25 range, but your wine would not be worth that at retail.  I suggest that you just open it at dinner sometime soon and see how it tastes.  It won't hurt you and sometimes these forgotten bottles can bring pleasant surprises.  Sorry I can't give you better news.

Best wishes,