Expert: Paul Wagner - 6/10/2010

Question
Hi,

We were given a Pasquier Desvignes Marquisat Chateauneuf de Pape, 1986.
There is a little "crude" around the top of the bottle.
Can you tell us about this?

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Pia

Do you mean that the bottle has leaked a little bit of wine?  If that's the case, then I'm afraid it does mean that the seal of the cork may have been compromised.  The basic rule here is that if wine can leak out, then air can get in.  And air is the enemy of wine.  Just as an apple turns brown once its sliced open and exposed to air, wine can be oxidized and lose some of its fruit and charm.  

Given that this is a 25 year old wine, this bottle should be drunk in the near future.  

Paul Wagner