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About David Ling
Expertise
I have 40 year`s experience tasting, collecting and enjoying wines as an amateur enthusiast. Bordeaux and Port are my particular loves and I regularly buy and sell at auction. I have a good library and frequently participate in on-line discussions. I can only help with valuations, buying or selling if you tell me where you live as there are many variations around the world.

Experience
I would not feel confident answering questions on German wines or those of the USA, South Africa or Australia. But please check me out on "Browse Past Answers" at the top of this page to see if I'm the one you want to help on everything else! (PLEASE don't forget to tell me where you are if you want my estimation of value or help buying or selling!)

Organizations
I am manager of the http://groups.msn.com/BordeauxCentral web site and can promise a warm welcome if you drop by. I also participate regularly on several other discussion groups.

You are here: Experts > Food/Drink > Liquors > Wine > Chateau Pontet-Canet 1923-24?, Chateau Brown Cantenac 1924

Wine - Chateau Pontet-Canet 1923-24?, Chateau Brown Cantenac 1924

Expert: David Ling - 10/7/2008

Question
In a very dark corner of a wine cellar (Westmount, Quebec) we discovered an unopened case of Chateau Pontet-Canet which according to family records likely dates back to either 1922 or 1923. This wine has been donated to a charity wine auction to be held later this month.
Could the vintage be determined by the markings on the case? Would it be wise to open the case to determine the actual vintage, or would this affect the value?

Also as part of this vintage wine donation, we have an opened case of 1924 Chateau Brown Cantenet (1/2 bottles) containing about 12 such bottles, wrapped in tissue paper, inserted into a cardboard sleeve and packed in sawdust.
Could you give an estimate on this wine value?

Answer
Hi Beverly,

These are virtually impossible to value accurately as neither are First Growths and both vintages were of below-average quality so the odds on them still being good drinking are low after so long.

I suggest you ask the auctioneer to advise on the best way to proceed before you open the case as a generous donor just MIGHT pay a premium for an unopened one; but he may think the charity would do better from 12 low bids.

But I agree that donation to a charity auction is a very good way to dispose of these to someone's benefit as they would be very difficult for you to sell.

Regards,

David
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