I’m still trying to come up with ways to experiment around the “dumb phase” and wondering if any one has ever tried aging the same bottle in different sizes to compare how they age differently. I’m thinking, like opening 1 of each every 2-3 years side by side for an extended period, ideally 2-4 decades. I know that is probably a reach, but anything less extensive and along those lines might be insightful.
Mainly curious about Barolo, Barbaresco, Bourdeaux, Brunello and any other wines with more apparent “dumb phases”
I didn´t try on purpose compairing different bottles sizes, but when the opportunity came along -
I would say - from gut feeling: double size = app. 50% longer evolution.
So when a 0.75 bottle is mature after 20 years a magnum would be in a similar stage of evolution after 30 years.
Sure it depends - as usual
It’s a nice idea but I think you’d need a larger sample than 1 of each bottle. Bottle/cork variation would play an outsize influence. Plus if one of the bottles is flawed (corked, brett, VA) that screws the comparison for that time period. And that’s before you get into things like vintage variation - ie what if it’s an early drinking vintage?
And as I understand it, the bottle size comparison would really only work for halves through magnums. Above magnum, my understanding is those are usually hand-corked.
good points. I think the difference between 375ml and 750ml is greater than the difference between 750ml and 1.5L because it has to do with surface area as compared to the volume.
I think I am going to run this test myself and make a post for suggestions on which bottles to consider. The idea would be something that has 20+years as a 750ml, but is available either in 375ml or 1.5L and also would be known for having a dumb phase.