I recently had an unfortunate incident opening a 2004 Cali Rhone Ranger when the cork split apart about 3/4ths the way down while using a normal cork screw. I managed to get the rest out without any problems, but it caused me to wonder at what age should I start using my Durand. I normally don’t use it for anything from this millennium, and probably a bit older than that, but I am reconsidering. What do you do?
Kinda depends but 20 years is a rough time frame where I start really looking at the cork to decide if it’s needed or not.
As soon as the worm starts shredding the cork, I remove it and grab the ah so. Just had to use it on a 2007 JJ Prüm Kabinett, and often have to pull corks from vintage Port with it. Had some perfect corks on other older wines though.
Great question-. Durand comes to mind at 20+. Ahso 10; or to rescue when worm is throwing off pebbles of cork on standard approach.
When the condition of the cork warrants.
10 years. After shredding a younger b with a Screwpull, I am quick to grab the Durand.
Any Calif Cab pre 2000!
But if you remove the corkscrew, doesn’t that increase the risk of the ah-so pushing the cork into the bottle?
Sorta like defining porn, ain’t it? Or the Goldilocks moment.
This.
Not vintage dependent, cork dependent. If the cork looks suspect out comes the Durand.
Agree with Alan. 10 years for me - just to be safe.
Not that I’ve noticed. The corkscrew never got the cork to start coming out - the worm was simply shredding up the center of it. Patiently wiggling / pushing the ah so in to its base is the key. If you try pushing or jamming it in the cork will certainly get pushed into the bottle.
I tend to think 25+ years is a good range. However, there are plenty of 1996’s that I just simply wouldn’t think about using it on…so maybe it’s more like 30 years in these thoughts. If I break the cork half-way through…I always use the Durrand to save the wine…whenever possible. I had a busted cork on a 2005 Ridge last weekend…it just happens sometimes.
I am with the “case-by-case” judgment call.
Having said that, I thought I read somewhere that the designed lifespan of a cork is ~15 years. Has anybody else heard or read the same?
The first time I saw someone use a Durrand, I stared at them like a cavemen witnessing man made fire for the first time. It was pure sorcery.
I open so many bottles of young wine, I have this bad habit of thinking every cork is tough and can handle a quick extraction. I’ve learned my lesson with 8+ year old corks, they’re just not the same as a 1 or 2 year old corks. If the Durand is close by, I use it on every cork 8 years or older. If the Durand is at home, and I’m not, I just have to remind myself to take my time with older corks.
Jay - you need a Durand?
Usually only wines from the 80’s and older I find that I need to pull it out of the drawer…
In my experience, the Durand is not as easy to use as the Ah-so, so I now open all bottles with the latter, except when the cork starts to push in & I switch to the Durand (which does not happen often). It is particularly useful for older Port. Even younger bottles open easily & quickly with the Ah-so.
[quote=“GregT”]Jay - you need a Durand?[/quoting] if you must know! it was a 2004 Agharta made by Pax Mahle before he went over to the dark side.