zxcvbob wrote:
> Kent wrote:
>> "zxcvbob" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> ...in the back of the closet. Rosemount Estate 1998. I thought all I
>>> had back there was a few assorted bottles of red.
>>>
>>> It should be drinkable, but will have no character left at all. (I
>>> wonder if it would be better chilled or not at this point.) Might
>>> just be good for cooking...
>>>
>>>
>> In addition to the underlying quality of the wine this depends greatly
>> on how the wine was stored. At what temp.? What is the condition of
>> the cork? Most important, how much ullage is there between the bottom
>> of the cork and the wine? You might be very pleasantly surprised. Set
>> it upright for a few days. Decant into a carafe several hours before
>> you imbibe.
>>
>> Kent
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> The ullage -- I had to look that up -- was fine. It was still fairly
> high in the neck of the bottle (the bottle had an unusually long neck)
>
> I bet it was a $10 bottle of wine 11 or 12 years ago when I bought it,
> and I got it on sale for about $7. It still tasted better than a nasty
> bottle of French white table wine that I bought last year (no varietal
> and no year on the gorgeous blue bottle)
>
> I should just stick with red wines and the occasional bottle of extra
> dry champagne.
>
> Bob

My favorite is Chateau Diet Dr. Pepper, heavily chilled and served over
ice. Preferably bottled within the last week.