TN: 1970 Chateau Haut Sarpe St Emilion GCC

A wine from the depths of the cellar which has been moved around the country and subject to much abuse over the past 50 years. Mid-shoulder, soaked cork which crumbled under the Durand

I’ve never been a huge fan of 1970 Bordeaux, which often have seemed hard, unyielding and graceless.

Clear, mahogany visual presentation, a bit of leather, cedar and black fruits in the nose and a captivating clear and resonant raspberry/blackberry mishmash on the palate with nice framing acidity and fully resolved tannins. A delightful wine if you are OK with age on it (my wife is not). I’ve been holding off pulling the cork on this one, but I’m quite pleased with this experience.

More abused wines to come this winter

Excellent color.

Agreed, glad it is enjoyable!

Not a bad note for a 50 year old bottle that’s been beat up!

That’s what I thought. Not quite an epiphany, but its survival made it a very rewarding experience. Wine can be a lot tougher than it often gets credit for

“clear and resonant…mishmash”

I like the oxymoronic note.