Trying to ascertain wine value

Trying to ascertain wine value

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Discendo Discimus

Original Poster:

595 posts

42 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Hi,

I was given a case of wine some time ago, my grandparents had bought it whilst in france in the 90's.
They told me at the time that they had no idea if it was of any value, so I haven't got my hopes up.

That said, I've looked after this case for a while now, turning it frequently and making sure its at the right temperature. I've never managed to find the same wine online to get a valuation (I think the Pauillac bit differentiates it from the ones I can find). I doubt I'd enjoy the taste if I cracked a bottle open so my only option really is to sell.



Could anybody advise if this is any good or should I stop caring so much and use it for cooking or something?

Cheers, DD.

deckster

9,631 posts

265 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
100% depends on what it actually is, and I can't tell from the picture posted. Phillipe de Rothschild have three Pauillac estates - if it's a Chateau Mouton then it could be properly expensive, a few hundred quid per bottle. If it's a d’Armailhac or a Clerc Milon then you're looking at closer to £50. If it's one of their branded wines, such as Mouton Cadet, then not really worth selling and you'd best drink it, assuming it's still drinkable.

However the fact that it's not been stored in a proper warehouse counts against it a little. If it's the good stuff, then to achieve the best price people will want to see evidence that it's been stored properly in a temperature, light, and humidity controlled environment. That might be a challenge if it's been kept at home.

Discendo Discimus

Original Poster:

595 posts

42 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Thanks Deckster, I must admit I hadn't considered hundreds of pounds for the case let alone for the bottles, or I might've put them in a storage facility earlier!

Details from the case read:

BORDEAUX
Baron Phillipe De Rothschild
NEGOCIANTS A PAUILLAC - GIRONDE - FRANCE
1994

I'm assuming I won't be able to find out more without opening the case and having a look at a bottle - something I'm not keen to do without professional supervision.

Edited by Discendo Discimus on Friday 18th August 15:24

deckster

9,631 posts

265 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Like I say - we need to know what it is and the case doesn't help. Can you post of photo of the label on a bottle?

djc206

12,808 posts

135 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Open the case. Use Vivino to scan the label and it’ll give you an idea of what exactly you have.

NDA

22,598 posts

235 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
I was going to write pretty much what Dexter posted....

'94 wasn't a brilliant year either - not bad, but not that great. As he says, keeping it home will effect the value - investment wines are usually kept in bond.

Discendo Discimus

Original Poster:

595 posts

42 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
djc206 said:
Open the case. Use Vivino to scan the label and it’ll give you an idea of what exactly you have.
Ah ok, am I being daft worrying about opening the case?
I wondered if the bottles were worth more with the case - a bit like other collectables (I really know nothing about wine)!

I'll have a look tonight and will update the thread.

21TonyK

12,087 posts

219 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
"NEGOCIANTS A PAUILLAC"

suggests its a blended wine and may not be worth any real value but should be half decent enough to drink if its not spoiled. Can you post a clear pic of a label?

Edit: you get the impression we want a pic of the label biglaugh

Edited by 21TonyK on Friday 18th August 15:34

Discendo Discimus

Original Poster:

595 posts

42 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Just to clarify - If I open the case to read a label, I'm not seriously devaluing the package as a whole?

deckster

9,631 posts

265 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Discendo Discimus said:
Just to clarify - If I open the case to read a label, I'm not seriously devaluing the package as a whole?
Theoretically, some buyers may pay more for an unopened case.

But given that as you don't currently know what's inside, it's broadly speaking worthless right now so until you open it you simply have no idea. You might consider it to be Schrodinger's case of wine, in that it's both incredibly expensive and very cheap at the same time, and you won't know which until you open it.

Unless of course there are any further markings on the box which might give us more of a clue as to what it actually is.

Discendo Discimus

Original Poster:

595 posts

42 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
I'll have a look when I'm home from work but I'm fairly sure these are the only markings on the box.
With surgical precision, I will attempt to open the box this evening.

Will update later on this eve.

akirk

5,678 posts

124 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Discendo Discimus said:
That said, I've looked after this case for a while now, turning it frequently and making sure its at the right temperature.
Right temperature makes sense - very important as it affects the wine - ideally no peak above 25C and preferably kept at about 12C (cellar temperature)

but... turning the wine?! Unless you are planning to disgorge champagne sediment (when you riddle / turn the bottle regularly) then wine doesn't need turning - preferably stored with the wine in contact with the cork, so lying down horizontally is fine...

intrigued as to what you will find - the case will add no value for 99.9% of wines - in fact many sellers get rid of the cases when retailing as difficult to post - they are useful though if held in bond, or if you have your own wine cellar but not enough bottle storage in there - but I suspect it will make no difference in cost in your case...

Discendo Discimus

Original Poster:

595 posts

42 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Well here we go chaps, not sure if this is good news or bad!





djc206

12,808 posts

135 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
If Vivino is correct recent vintages go for about a fiver per bottle. Fingers crossed I’m wrong and someone else tells you you’re sitting on a gold mine…

Discendo Discimus

Original Poster:

595 posts

42 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
Honestly I'm chuffed either way, they haven't cost me anything and they're now taking up a bit of room so I'll get them sold regardless.

I really can't find much info on this exact bottle so I'm still non the wiser.

NDA

22,598 posts

235 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
As Tony21K suggested above - it's a blended Bordeaux. And from a poor year.

Unfortunately of no great value. I would drink a bottle if I were you and see what it's like - you won't be ruining a vast inheritance. smile


djc206

12,808 posts

135 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
I think it’s this

cliffords

2,028 posts

33 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
I would drink it , give it to friends as gifts Christmas etc . It's probably nicer wine than you would buy in Waitrose.Nice if you could give it by the bottle to family members.

sherman

14,039 posts

225 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
cliffords said:
I would drink it , give it to friends as gifts Christmas etc . It's probably nicer wine than you would buy in Waitrose.Nice if you could give it by the bottle to family members.
Crack open a bottle first to see if its drinkable first.
You dont want to gift out 5 bottles of 1994 bordeaux vinegar.

anonymous-user

64 months

Friday 18th August 2023
quotequote all
djc206 said:
I think it’s this
Yes, that’s it.

Not a seller. Try a bottle. If it’s nice, drink or gift the rest. If not, gift the rest to people you don’t care for.