Expert: Paul Wagner - 11/8/2006

Question
Hi Paul,

I purchased a few bottles of older wine at an auction and would love some insight on whether we can drink these, sell them or just plain put them in the garbage! :)

Here is a list of what we have Acquired:

A 1952 Bolla Bardolino - Italian Dry Red Wine (Casa Vinicola  - Verona)

Paul Masson - Sauterne Chateau Masson Paul Masson - No year that I can see

1957 Rose D'Une Nuit Dry - Cabernet

1967 Vinya Rose Portuguese Rose' Produced and bottled by J. M Da Fonseca, SUCCS.

1949 Serchi Chianti Produced and Bottled by Serchistefani Ulivieri

1966 & a 1969 Chianti Raspollini Produced and Bottled by Luigi Raspollini Poggibonsi

1956 Chianti Melini Produced and Bottled by Antica Casa Vinicola  

Answer
Hi Cari:

Sad to say, all of these wines are way past their prime.  These are all wines made to be drunk within a few years of when they were bottled.  They will have lost all of their fruit, most of their color ( for the reds;  the whites will be brownish) and will taste tired, old, and lifeless.

Sorry to be the bearer of sad news.  I hope you didn't pay a lot for these...

Paul Wagner