Technically speaking, these aren’t in “the cellar” anymore, because they have been opened [and poured down the sink] in the last year or so, but, with that caveat:
1997 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Grande Annati
96 Points, James Suckling, and probably Top Ten in some old Top 100 list
2 bottles opened - both beyond undrinkable - frankly sickening
Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth
95-97 points, Robert Parker
also essentially undrinkable - just oak oak oak oak oak overlaying a foundation of acid & bright red food coloring
[tasted sorta like a caramelized vinegar]
Edited to add: Given where I live, it must be conceded that heat damage could have played a role [with either wine] - but my gut tells me that it was more likely to have been gross incompetence on the part of the wine critics making the recommendations.
Well I can confirm this one was really, really bad:
TN: Chefoo White Wine NV: Light amber color suggested oxidization and indeed the aroma was slightly sherry-like with distinctive metallic and kerosene undertones. Weak, sweet, grapey, with no discernable varietal character (not sure what this was made from), again with a pronounced metallic flavor almost like sucking on a copper penny. Sealed with a screw cap. 12.5% abv. Astoundingly bad, but may have applications as an industrial solvent. Serving it much colder would have helped numb the pain.
Keith tasted it on 12/2/2008 & gave it a 77 rating. At least Keith did admit in his note that “I was expecting a spoofmonster here. Not really, but neither is it anything special.”
Keith: all jocking aside, I do really enjoy reading your tasting notes…
2005 Château Haut-Batailley - According to CT (average 87.4 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 5 notes)…
Or maybe both of my bottles were badly heat damaged.
Or maybe the people on CT can’t taste worth a damn.
Often when reading CT notes on “known” wines, with a lot of press, I get the feeling that CT posters are playing to the critics’ perception of a wine - that the CT posters lack the self-confidence to proclaim that the emperor has no clothes [and, thereby, to admit - at least tacitly - that they were taken to the cleaners in making a wine purchase].
Plus the truth of the matter is that an awful lot of people who claim to be oenophiles - including many [if not most] professional critics - just have really lousy taste in wine.
Anyway, the two bottles of the 1997 Avignonesi VNdMRGA which I had were both vomitusly putrid - even Luca Mazzoleni, back in the day, misunderestimated the foulness of that wine [and he was pretty vehement in his initial denunciation of it, as I recall].
According to CT, it is the '03 Chateau Bellevue Mondotte, (CT 80). Parker gave it 98 points. [1974_eating_popcorn.gif]
I would probably say either:
'08 Scholium Project Phillips Farm Rose. Bleh. I opened one bottle. The CT 80 seemed way high to me, if I ever scored wines, that is. I am not sure what I should do with the other bottle; or
'97 Bollinger Coteaux Champenois La Côte aux Enfants. I have been afraid to open this. I won it with a group of wines that I actually wanted at a charity auction.
Nathan - don’t forget those that like to be the “smartest person” in the room by finding every fault in the wine or taking the contrarian position…I know quite a few of these types. Tough to drink wine with them…
Dick,
Are the Chards from decent producers and have they been well stored? ? We had a pre 90’s Chard tasting and I was surprised how well many of them showed.
The producers are mostly Stony Hill, Grgich, and Ch. Montelena plus a few others. They’ve been in our cellar (55F) since purchase at the winery. In 2000 or 2001 we did a tasting of 15 or so 1980 and earlier Chards. Most were dead. A couple I called zombies - they were still drinkable, but had significanly changed. There were three or four that were still good - a 1976 Meursault, an 1980 Simi, and a Grgich or two.
I have the most hope for the Stony Hills, with the Grgich and Montelena real ???. I wasn’t counting the early 80s Mayacamas which will probably live forever.
Unfortunately, in terms of dollars invested and “lack of pleasure” rendered, this is a simple one to answer – two cases of the 1990 Pavie Macquin. The first few years it drank well, but it soon devolved into an alcoholic mess domimated by volatile acidity. Every once in a blue moon I am surprised by a bottle that shows in the 88 point range, but more often than not this is undrinkable and poured down the drain.
We have a 5L 1997 Cavit Merlot that has been sitting in our dining room since it was “gifted” to us by a friend in the trade. Some friend.
I think I also have an Almaden Port hanging around somewhere that is a remnant from a salesman 30 years ago that I’ve never been able to bring myself to open.
I have a feeling my worst (tasting) is my oldest. I keep it for sentimental reasons. It is a 1976 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir that is probably 20+ years past it’s prime. Although the fill level is pretty high!
The worst one has to be a 2002 Stu Pedasso Zinfandel Port that I bought because I thought the name was witty.
I just found it…2005 Boswell Cuvee Jacqueline from the Beckstoffer Vyd. PUre alcohol on the nose and palate with a little chocolate oak in the background…pure crap. Thankfully it was free.
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