Hi everyone,
Do you consider the condition of the capsule when buying back vintage bottles? Does capsule oxidation or corrosion indicate anything about the potential condition of the wine inside? Or is it purely cosmetic?
There are a few older bottles from the 80s I’m interested in that have capsule condition issues so wondering if that matters at all.
Thanks,
Noah
If it matters any, it is just in that it suggests (1) it’s more likely the bottle was stored in a humid cellar, and (2) the wine is older.
Capsule corrosion does not, as far as I know or have ever heard, suggest anything negative about the cork or the wine.
Here’s a prior thread about it. Poppy Davis, who posts in it, worked for big auction houses at the time.
Short answer: no.
Do capsules matter?
Other than adding lipstick to an olfactory experience.
I know in newer wines that if the capsule doesn’t twist around, then there was leakage which made the capsule stick to the bottle. I am not sure if that applies to older vintages as well?
Or it means the capsule was applied tightly. A non-spinning capsule is not a reliable indicator of seepage in either recent or older vintage bottles. I’ve had plenty of older (30-40 years) bottles with loose or spinning capsules that showed seepage once the capsule was removed.
I’m a lot more concerned about what’s under the capsule. And even then, I’ve seen some grody fungal residue on corks (ie. significant leakage) that gave me doubt about what the contents would reveal, only to be mesmerized by what unfolded as the wine relaxed in my glass.
Some capsules e.g. from Italy or Spain will have regional guaranty seals that don’t even allow the capsules to be spun around to test for leakage.
I think capsule condition disclosure is more important for a purchaser who might care about potential resale of ‘investment grade’ wines, but matters less to those who would drink it.