Oeneologists - Chateau de Chantegrive

[Arese]

For as long as I can remember I've had these two bottles of wine at home. My girlfriend brought them with her when we set up home together, and I think her family have had them from new. They came in a display box, which I think we might have binned as it was rotting.

There's a red that is labelled as Chateau de Chantegrive - Graves - 1982 - Grand Vin De Bordeux, and a white which is labelled pretty similar but 1983.

So, am I right to assume the white will be off by now? What about the red? Safe to drink or best to just leave well alone?

Cheers! I've been meaning to ask on here for ages.

[SlipStream77]

It might tell you in here...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hugh-Johnsons-Pocket-Wine-...

You could also email the vigneron...

http://www.chantegrive.com/index.php?page=content&...

[Arese]

SlipStream77 said:

It might tell you in here...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hugh-Johnsons-Pocket-Wine-...

You could also email the vigneron...

http://www.chantegrive.com/index.php?page=content&...

Cheers Slip, just emailed them

[Skywalker]

I had a stunning bottle of Chateau de Chantegrive Graves at Easter. Admitedly only a 2004 (IIRC), but splendid all the same.

[HiRich]

Parker says:
Nice, cheap Graves. No pretensions, but scores quite well. Reading between the lines, it's one of his "plonk" wines for a simple restaurant lunch 9which in itself is quite a recommendation)
Red should be drunk 5-7 years, whites earlier (check the white isn't Caroline, which briefly appeared as a superior cuvee at that time). No specific notes found.

So the white is probably dead. Try the red, but don't expect miracles.

[Driller]

Arese said:

For as long as I can remember I've had these two bottles of wine at home. My girlfriend brought them with her when we set up home together, and I think her family have had them from new. They came in a display box, which I think we might have binned as it was rotting.

There's a red that is labelled as Chateau de Chantegrive - Graves - 1982 - Grand Vin De Bordeux, and a white which is labelled pretty similar but 1983.

So, am I right to assume the white will be off by now? What about the red? Safe to drink or best to just leave well alone?

Cheers! I've been meaning to ask on here for ages.

1982 was an outstanding year for Bordeaux wines. WIthout sounding like a wine snob, if you've not really ever had a decent bottle (can't tell by your post) why not buy a few nice reds first and try them before opening this one. It sounds like it could be really special and you would appreciate it more this way.

[Arese]

Thanks for all the responses.

Driller said:

1982 was an outstanding year for Bordeaux wines. WIthout sounding like a wine snob, if you've not really ever had a decent bottle (can't tell by your post) why not buy a few nice reds first and try them before opening this one. It sounds like it could be really special and you would appreciate it more this way.

We're by no means wine experts, but can usually tell a good wine from a poor one. We would normally go with whatever Olly Smith recommends on Saturday Kitchen

Maybe we'll crack it open when we get back from Honeymoon.

Cheers all

[Cactussed]

As said, 1982 was a top year, but realistically, the wine may be coming to the end of its lifespan, so it may be time to cook a nice but simple meal and crack them open.

Don't be surprised if the white is past it...

[Arese]

Cactussed said:

As said, 1982 was a top year, but realistically, the wine may be coming to the end of its lifespan, so it may be time to cook a nice but simple meal and crack them open.

Don't be surprised if the white is past it...

What would you recommend to eat with the red? Bearing in mind the other half won't eat read meat or chicken.

[MkGriff]

It's worth noting that as this is quite an old bottle, a lot of the ingredients will have separated, so remember to give it a good shake before opening, so that you get an even flavour in each glass. Enjoy

[Arese]

MkGriff said:

It's worth noting that as this is quite an old bottle, a lot of the ingredients will have separated, so remember to give it a good shake before opening, so that you get an even flavour in each glass. Enjoy

Will do, cheers!

Maybe I'll post a few snapshots in the 'dinner' thread. Don't expect anything 'Cactussed' quality though!

[MkGriff]

Arese said:

MkGriff said:

It's worth noting that as this is quite an old bottle, a lot of the ingredients will have separated, so remember to give it a good shake before opening, so that you get an even flavour in each glass. Enjoy

Will do, cheers!

Maybe I'll post a few snapshots in the 'dinner' thread. Don't expect anything 'Cactussed' quality though!

There's an alarming absence of a smiley in your response. I'm a little nervous now.

[Driller]

MkGriff said:

Arese said:

MkGriff said:

It's worth noting that as this is quite an old bottle, a lot of the ingredients will have separated, so remember to give it a good shake before opening, so that you get an even flavour in each glass. Enjoy

Will do, cheers!

Maybe I'll post a few snapshots in the 'dinner' thread. Don't expect anything 'Cactussed' quality though!

There's an alarming absence of a smiley in your response. I'm a little nervous now.

I'll put one in

[Arese]

Driller said:

MkGriff said:

Arese said:

MkGriff said:

It's worth noting that as this is quite an old bottle, a lot of the ingredients will have separated, so remember to give it a good shake before opening, so that you get an even flavour in each glass. Enjoy

Will do, cheers!

Maybe I'll post a few snapshots in the 'dinner' thread. Don't expect anything 'Cactussed' quality though!

There's an alarming absence of a smiley in your response. I'm a little nervous now.

I'll put one in

Not fans of the 'Show us your dinner' thread then?

[escargot]

[MkGriff]

My brother in law actually shook a 60yr old Colheita. I had told him what to do with it prior to opening and decanting... but his neighbour popped in and whilst showing him the bottle - pretended to drop it. We ended up with a cloudy, utterly nondescript port, that had the potential to be something quite special. I nearly cried.

[Arese]

escargot said:

MkGriff said:

My brother in law actually shook a 60yr old Colheita. I had told him what to do with it prior to opening and decanting... but his neighbour popped in and whilst showing him the bottle - pretended to drop it. We ended up with a cloudy, utterly nondescript port, that had the potential to be something quite special. I nearly cried.

So I shouldn't be shaking it then?!

You guys...

[Cactussed]

For the love of God, don't shake it.
Also (my 2c) is, do not decant it either. Very old wines have a tendency to oxidise VERY quickly, so decanting is likely to lose a lot of the bouquet, flavour and turn it to vinegar.

Best poured carefully straight form bottle to glass, leave any sediment in the bottle, drink promptly.

As for what to have it with, if she won't eat red meat, then I'd just have it with some nice bread and a decent Brie. Nothing too pungent, as you're there to taste the wine, not drown it in strong cheese.

ETA: It would probably go quite nicely with Monkfish, which can handle some decent red. Maybe wrapped in some Pancetta and roasted in the oven.

Edited by Cactussed on Monday 26th April 14:05

[Driller]

Cactussed said:

For the love of God, don't shake it.

[NDA]

As already said:

1. Don't shake it.
2. Leave upright(unopened)and completely still for a couple of hours before opening to let the sediment sink.
3. 82 was a great year for Bordeaux, but I think for Chantegrive it's getting a bit long in the tooth.
4. As above, drink promptly after opening, it will be very mellow.

If it's gone off you'll either get a sort of mushroomy smell (corked) or it'll taste like vinegar. I think it'll be fine, but probably thin tasting.

Let us know!

Try the white too, it won't kill you.