Does this wine go out of date?

[Phooey]

Just found this bottle in the cupboard which says 2020 and wondered if it goes out of date or has a best use by date? My dad gave me a bottle of rum (I’m guessing it was 20yrs old) and when I opened it the cork had rotted hence wondered if certain wines do too. Thanks

[Cupid-stunt]

The wine was bottled in 2020.
Should be great to drink.

It is considered 'Ready - Youthful'

https://www.bbr.com/products-20208029128-2020-boek...

[NDA]

Generally, the sweeter the wine, the longer it will last - you can still certain drink dessert wines from the 19th Century. Is the fact it says chocolate on the label and indication that it might be sweet?

For other wines - the big name chateaux (Palmer, Talbot etc) will produce powerful wines that will last decades.

Your wine? No idea! Drink it over Christmas and find out. 2020 was a good year for Bordeaux, but I don't know this region.


ETA - someone's provided the answer above.

[otolith]

That's currently £27 a bottle in Waitrose, by the way.

[simon_harris]

Chocolate block is a very nice drop if you like cabernet Sauvignon/malbec style wines, it used to be a lot cheaper than it is now at Majestic.

[Phooey]

Fantastic - thanks for replies

We opened a bottle a couple of years ago and it was very nice. I just noticed this was 2020 (I thought it was more recent). I'm tempted to buy some off Amazon @ £22.90 bottle and keep them in the cupboard. I'm guessing the Amazon ones would be 2025?

https://www.bbr.com/products-20208029128-2020-boek...

Regarding the 'Maturity Status Definitions' in the link above (very useful - thank you), what age would it need to be to be in "Ready - at best" category?

[Panamax]

That one should be fine but I'd suggest getting on and drinking it fairly soon.

Wine that's sold "retail" is ready to drink. There' no point buying wine retail and then keeping it a very long time, it'll probably deteriorate rather than improve.

[Chris Stott]

It will be fine.

Last 2 nights I’ve drunk 2 bottles of relatively ordinary Italian wine from 2012 we found in my father in laws garage. Both were lovely.

[NDA]

This thread reminds me that there is an awful lot to know about wines!

I have invested in Bordeaux (en primeur and in bond) for a few years and drink non-investment Bordeaux at home. I have some knowledge of this one region gained in over 40 years of drinking it!

But I am always embarrassed to admit I know very little of other regions around the world - new world, Italian, Spanish etc etc. It's such a huge subject.

[Phooey]

Great - thanks again for all the replies :hic:

[TIGA84]

Yeah you're good to go on that, nice wine as well.

[Phooey]

Thanks, I'm not a wine connoisseur but drink quite a lot of red in Winter and usually stick to the ones i enjoy from Morrisons etc - usually spending about a tenner tops - but I do like the odd 'better' bottle. I have some from a Fortnum and Masons hamper that I'm yet to open too. I also like the popular Cabalie - I bought 36 bottles a year or so ago from one of the wine companies which worked out at approx £7/bottle which seemed a bargain

[BlackTails]

As others have said, good to drink now and will last another 3-5 years.

I’d guess that it will be rather nicer if you can decant it and let it stand for an hour or so before drinking. Or just leave it poured into glasses to stand; failing all else simply uncork it and let it stand.

[Mahalo]

Chocolate Block is a very nice red wine from Franschoek in South Africa (Waitrose and Costco sell it as do other supermarkets.) Quality/value wise it is good value for money for the quality. 2020 was a very good vintage year for this wine which will pair nicely with beef, game,Lamb. Make sure to open it well before drinking as it needs to air in order to bring out the full flavour.

[thegreenhell]

Phooey said:

Fantastic - thanks for replies

We opened a bottle a couple of years ago and it was very nice. I just noticed this was 2020 (I thought it was more recent). I'm tempted to buy some off Amazon @ £22.90 bottle and keep them in the cupboard. I'm guessing the Amazon ones would be 2025?

Currently on the shelves in Waitrose is 2023 vintage.

[okgo]

I’ve had two bottles of champagne from my mum recently, both completely dead as they were stored in warmth for years and years!

I’ve got a bottle of Chateau Musar from the mid 80’s I really should drink…if it’s still good?!

[BlackTails]

okgo said:

I ve got a bottle of Chateau Musar from the mid 80 s I really should drink if it s still good?!

I reckon that is likely to be about ten years past its drinking window.

If it’s any consolation, I’ve had more corked bottles of Musar than any other single wine I can think of.

[Cupid-stunt]

BlackTails said:

okgo said:

I ve got a bottle of Chateau Musar from the mid 80 s I really should drink if it s still good?!

I reckon that is likely to be about ten years past its drinking window.

If it s any consolation, I ve had more corked bottles of Musar than any other single wine I can think of.

Chateau Musar is my favourite red wine.
I get a bottle on my b'day as it's a decent gift....

If it is a 1984, it may be an absolute belter....

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=15037...

[blueg33]

Storage will be a factor. If it’s been standing the cork may have dried out leading to possible oxidisation. It it’s been stored somewhere like a kitchen with temperature variations it won’t last as well as something stored in a cellar.

Opened a 1990 Premier Cru Pomerol, a 1986 Grand Cru Chablis and a 1988 Sauternes last month. All from my collection. The Sauternes was stunning, the Pomerol was lovely, the Chablis was possibly a bit too old. It was quite dark and more sherry like than Chablis like.

[Lotobear]

blueg33 said:

Storage will be a factor. If it s been standing the cork may have dried out leading to possible oxidisation. It it s been stored somewhere like a kitchen with temperature variations it won t last as well as something stored in a cellar.

Opened a 1990 Premier Cru Pomerol, a 1986 Grand Cru Chablis and a 1988 Sauternes last month. All from my collection. The Sauternes was stunning, the Pomerol was lovely, the Chablis was possibly a bit too old. It was quite dark and more sherry like than Chablis like.

Speaking of Sauternes opened this last year to celebrate a house move, god it was wonderful despite the cork coming out in bits