So, my friend's dad had some wine given to him by one of his
colleagues that went to France. Knowing the Chinese, I am willing to
guess they picked up a wine with a pretty box or decoration to present
as a gift. I've looked up the wine even on this group and found one
post about a later vintage, but not this exact vintage. Here's the
info on the bottle that my friend was so nice to type up for me:

Produce of France
CHATEAU BEL-AIR GALLIER
Graves
Appellation Graves Controlee

1997 50cl
12%vol Philippe Riviere Proprietaire A Illats Gironde -
France
imp berthon 19525 M I S E N B O U T E I L L E A U C H A T E
A U

L 93.50


She's so cute. Even typed up 'Produce of France' for me.

Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? I can't seem to find
anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
between 10-15 bucks. Have any of you drank this before and can share
some TN? Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.

> Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? I can't seem to find
> anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
> between 10-15 bucks. Have any of you drank this before and can share
> some TN? Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
> has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
> open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.


No takers? Did I answer my own question or something?

Mydnight wrote:
>> Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? I can't seem to find
>> anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
>> between 10-15 bucks. Have any of you drank this before and can share
>> some TN? Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
>> has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
>> open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.
>
>
> No takers? Did I answer my own question or something?
>
It isn't that old, but has an excellent chance of poor storage. There is
only one way to tell what you have, open and drink Report back pleas.

Joseph Coulter wrote:

>>
> It isn't that old, but has an excellent chance of poor storage. There is
> only one way to tell what you have, open and drink Report back pleas.

Also please note that this is not BELAIR a St. Emilion but a graves with
a similar name albeit with a -.

On Mar 30, 2:02�pm, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> > Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? *I can't seem to find
> > anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
> > between 10-15 bucks. *Have any of you drank this before and can share
> > some TN? *Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
> > has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
> > open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.
>
> No takers? *Did I answer my own question or something?

I think it's hard to comment on a fairly obscure wine from a fairly
average vintage with somewhat questionable storage and cork. I've
never heard of the wine before but given that there are thousands of
small wine producers in France that's not unusual. Bordeaux though
does have a fairly well established convention for their wines and I
don't think that there are too many yet to be discovered jewels out
there. The only thing I found was pretty much what you had already
uncovered. A wine that sold for about $15 on release (even the
current releases are fairly inexpensive). Given all the above I
wouldn't expect much but you never know. How about some notes when
you open it?

Is this red? Don't know estate. But
1) Other than maybe Chantegrive, most Graves (not counting Pessac-
Leognans) tend to be for early drinking, maybe 3-5 years after
release.
2) 1997 is an early maturing vintage. Most of the big Medocs are
entering maturity (and in a few cases, are on downslide)
3) The above assumes good storage.

I'd open, hope for the best,but be prepared with a backup bottle. Good
luck!

On Mar 31, 2:02 am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> > Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? I can't seem to find
> > anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
> > between 10-15 bucks. Have any of you drank this before and can share
> > some TN? Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
> > has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
> > open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.
>
> No takers? Did I answer my own question or something?

Thanks for all the replies to my thread bump. I'll do my best on TN
after I coerce them to open it, but I'm sorta new at all the fancy
words and things used to described wines. Can you guys give me some
hints or resources to look at to help me along in my quest or give me
some hints as to what to do?

On Mar 31, 12:19�am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> On Mar 31, 2:02 am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
>
> > > Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? *I can't seem to find
> > > anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
> > > between 10-15 bucks. *Have any of you drank this before and can share
> > > some TN? *Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
> > > has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
> > > open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.
>
> > No takers? *Did I answer my own question or something?
>
> Thanks for all the replies to my thread bump. *I'll do my best on TN
> after I coerce them to open it, but I'm sorta new at all the fancy
> words and things used to described wines. *Can you guys give me some
> hints or resources to look at to help me along in my quest or give me
> some hints as to what to do?


Look at it, smell it, taste it and write down your initial
impressions. It's not rocket science.

Bi!! wrote:
> On Mar 31, 12:19�am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
>> On Mar 31, 2:02 am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
>>
>>>> Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? �I can't seem to find
>>>> anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
>>>> between 10-15 bucks. �Have any of you drank this before and can share
>>>> some TN? �Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
>>>> has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
>>>> open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.
>>> No takers? �Did I answer my own question or something?
>> Thanks for all the replies to my thread bump. �I'll do my best on TN
>> after I coerce them to open it, but I'm sorta new at all the fancy
>> words and things used to described wines. �Can you guys give me some
>> hints or resources to look at to help me along in my quest or give me
>> some hints as to what to do?
>
>
> Look at it, smell it, taste it and write down your initial
> impressions. It's not rocket science.
>
Everyone has their strengths in this even if they aren't aware. most of
us are pretty good at determining color, the words to describe the color
may change but we can tell if there is any brown in a red wine(usually a
sign of age and not good, but if just a tinge on the fringe a sign of
something thatis just right) white wines have a variety of color as well
with darker being usually not good, unless we are looking at sweet wines
where the darker color may be an indication of good things.

Nose. You have me there, what do YOU smell that is all that matters, and
is it, for you, a good thing or not?

Taste, mouth feel is the most important thing to me, I really like the
way wine feels in the mouth, minerally flavors, like hard fresh water,
in a Chablis, coupled with the acidity (think about it and you will see
a contradiction, hard water is alkaline and acid is . . . well acid,
but in the wine these sensations exist)


Tannins on the finish give a pucker feel, some elements on the finish
are lingering taste sensations, like mint. However you think of them say
it. It wasn't a port who decided that Sancerre was best when it had a
distinct note of "cat's pee"

> Look at it, smell it, taste it and write down your initial
> impressions. It's not rocket science.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I know, but those with more trained senses and those that have a wider
experience with wines will be able to describe more accurately than a
novice like myself. So I ask the advise of you fine folks to educate
me the best you can by virtual means via the net.

I don't take it very hard being called dim. We tell people the tea
group the same thing when they ask such questions. It's just that the
wine market is so unlike the tea market in the fact it's much more
mature. Finer grade teas are just starting to leave China's borders
and the "experts" before were only novices. Another topic.

Care for any more specific advise, or have any resources? Although
the FAQ is a good beginning, it assumes a bit more knowledge than
beginner to fully be able to understand all of the topics.

On Mar 31, 11:59�am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> > Look at it, smell it, taste it and write down your initial
> > impressions. *It's not rocket science.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> I know, but those with more trained senses and those that have a wider
> experience with wines will be able to describe more accurately than a
> novice like myself. *So I ask the advise of you fine folks to educate
> me the best you can by virtual means via the net.
>
> I don't take it very hard being called dim. *We tell people the tea
> group the same thing when they ask such questions. *It's just that the
> wine market is so unlike the tea market in the fact it's much more
> mature. *Finer grade teas are just starting to leave China's borders
> and the "experts" before were only novices. *Another topic.
>
> Care for any more specific advise, or have any resources? *Although
> the FAQ is a good beginning, it assumes a bit more knowledge than
> beginner to fully be able to understand all of the topics.

Pick up a copy of the Wine Spectator and read the reviews. There are
also a number of kits available that allow you to smell aromas and put
a name to what you are smelling. You just gotta get in there and
drink and taste and smell a lot of wine. Reading helps and Wine for
Dummies is really not a bad place to start but nothing replaces
experience. If you do tea you should already have a fairly good
arsenal of knowlege about aroma and taste discriptors since many of
the same are used.

On Mar 31, 11:59�am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> > Look at it, smell it, taste it and write down your initial
> > impressions. *It's not rocket science.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> I know, but those with more trained senses and those that have a wider
> experience with wines will be able to describe more accurately than a
> novice like myself. *So I ask the advise of you fine folks to educate
> me the best you can by virtual means via the net.
>
> I don't take it very hard being called dim. *We tell people the tea
> group the same thing when they ask such questions. *It's just that the
> wine market is so unlike the tea market in the fact it's much more
> mature. *Finer grade teas are just starting to leave China's borders
> and the "experts" before were only novices. *Another topic.
>
> Care for any more specific advise, or have any resources? *Although
> the FAQ is a good beginning, it assumes a bit more knowledge than
> beginner to fully be able to understand all of the topics.

Just don't worry about it. Write down what you think - if you find the
fruit more red or black, if you find it tannic (as a tea drinker I
think you'll recognize tannins!), if you find the acidity higher or
lower than what you've experienced in other wines. No one can tell you
that you are wrong for what you taste!

On Mar 30, 10:49 am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> So, my friend's dad had some wine given to him by one of his
> colleagues that went to France. Knowing the Chinese, I am willing to
> guess they picked up a wine with a pretty box or decoration to present
> as a gift. I've looked up the wine even on this group and found one
> post about a later vintage, but not this exact vintage. Here's the
> info on the bottle that my friend was so nice to type up for me:
>
> Produce of France
> CHATEAU BEL-AIR GALLIER
> Graves
> Appellation Graves Controlee
>
> 1997 50cl
> 12%vol Philippe Riviere Proprietaire A Illats Gironde -
> France
> imp berthon 19525 M I S E N B O U T E I L L E A U C H A T E
> A U
>
> L 93.50
>
> She's so cute. Even typed up 'Produce of France' for me.
>
> Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? I can't seem to find
> anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
> between 10-15 bucks. Have any of you drank this before and can share
> some TN? Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
> has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
> open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.

Ok, well, I took my bottle opener over and was able to get into the
bottle without too much cork falling in. Over all, it was a
relatively disappointing experience because I think the wine had been
exposed to light, varying temperatures, and other poor storage
conditions.

My first attempt at notes, so don't laugh too much.

Nose: tar, dirty rags, slightly sweet in a rotten fruit sort of way.
I wouldn't describe it as pleasant at all.

The actual wine was rather thin and watery and I think was way past
it's prime; if it was indeed '97 instead of some grape juice,
forgery. The initial sensation I got was also not at all positive. I
got distinct leathery sensations with that same old-fruit tang. The
finish was weak and didn't have much lingering flavor.

Did not taste much different from most 10USD bottles that I've had
here and there.

On Mar 30, 3:49 am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> So, my friend's dad had some wine given to him by one of his
> colleagues that went to France. Knowing the Chinese, I am willing to
> guess they picked up a wine with a pretty box or decoration to present
> as a gift. I've looked up the wine even on this group and found one
> post about a later vintage, but not this exact vintage. Here's the
> info on the bottle that my friend was so nice to type up for me:

snip/

I know this wine, we have a house in France and it is on all the
supermarket shelves, and bought young for just a few euros. A 1997
would now be worth about 15 euros. Provided that the conditions were
good for storage, i.e. temperature not fluctuatiing, stored to keep
the cork wet etc. etc., it should be o.k. to drink. It won't be
exceptional and undoubtedly it will have changed but it may not be for
the better, it's a wine that should be recorked every 10 years but in
my husband's opinion (the red wine drinker) it is not a wine that he
would want to put down anyway.

I say open it, leave it in the bottle in the kitchen for an hour or so
and then have a quick smell, I have a tasting cup and the smell from
that usually will be a good indication of whether it will be good
enough to drink and if not, it will make a good beef stew!

Judith

On Mar 29, 10:49 pm, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> So, my friend's dad had some wine given to him by one of his
> colleagues that went to France. Knowing the Chinese, I am willing to
> guess they picked up a wine with a pretty box or decoration to present
> as a gift. I've looked up the wine even on this group and found one
> post about a later vintage, but not this exact vintage. Here's the
> info on the bottle that my friend was so nice to type up for me:
>
> Produce of France
> CHATEAU BEL-AIR GALLIER
> Graves
> Appellation Graves Controlee
>
> 1997 50cl
> 12%vol Philippe Riviere Proprietaire A Illats Gironde -
> France
> imp berthon 19525 M I S E N B O U T E I L L E A U C H A T E
> A U
>
> L 93.50
>
> She's so cute. Even typed up 'Produce of France' for me.
>
> Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? I can't seem to find
> anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
> between 10-15 bucks. Have any of you drank this before and can share
> some TN? Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
> has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
> open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.



I found a roll of film that expired in 1982 in my drawer. Is it any
good?

UC wrote:

>
>
> I found a roll of film that expired in 1982 in my drawer. Is it any
> good?
>
>
that was beneath you UC, we know that you have particular taste in wine,
but if someone found a 1997 Vino Nobile would you have responded the
same way? I think not.

On May 3, 4:20�am, Mydnight > wrote:
> On Mar 30, 10:49 am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > So, my friend's dad had some wine given to him by one of his
> > colleagues that went to France. *Knowing the Chinese, I am willing to
> > guess they picked up a wine with a pretty box or decoration to present
> > as a gift. *I've looked up the wine even on this group and found one
> > post about a later vintage, but not this exact vintage. *Here's the
> > info on the bottle that my friend was so nice to type up for me:
>
> > Produce of France
> > * * * * * * * * *CHATEAU BEL-AIR GALLIER
> > * * * * * * * * * * * *Graves
> > * * * * * * * * *Appellation Graves Controlee
>
> > 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *50cl
> > 12%vol * * * * * * * Philippe Riviere Proprietaire A Illats Gironde -
> > France
> > imp berthon 19525 * * M I S * E N *B O U T E I L L E * A U * C H A T E
> > A U
>
> > L 93.50
>
> > She's so cute. *Even typed up 'Produce of France' for me.
>
> > Anyway, what do you guys make of this wine? *I can't seem to find
> > anything on wine-searcher in this area but google has put this in at
> > between 10-15 bucks. *Have any of you drank this before and can share
> > some TN? *Their bottle's cork is adulterated, and I am not sure if air
> > has gotten in or not but I'd be willing to bet I could get the bottle
> > open for the next time I'm invited to dinner.
>
> Ok, well, I took my bottle opener over and was able to get into the
> bottle without too much cork falling in. *Over all, it was a
> relatively disappointing experience because I think the wine had been
> exposed to light, varying temperatures, and other poor storage
> conditions.
>
> My first attempt at notes, so don't laugh too much.
>
> Nose: *tar, dirty rags, slightly sweet in a rotten fruit sort of way.
> I wouldn't describe it as pleasant at all.
>
> The actual wine was rather thin and watery and I think was way past
> it's prime; if it was indeed '97 instead of some grape juice,
> forgery. *The initial sensation I got was also not at all positive. *I
> got distinct leathery sensations with that same old-fruit tang. *The
> finish was weak and didn't have much lingering flavor.
>
> Did not taste much different from most 10USD bottles that I've had
> here and there.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thw "slightly sweet in a rotten fruit sort of way" sounds like a
cooked wine to me. Too bad, better luck next time!

On May 3, 4:34 pm, Joseph Coulter > wrote:
> UC wrote:
>
> > I found a roll of film that expired in 1982 in my drawer. Is it any
> > good?
>
> that was beneath you UC, we know that you have particular taste in wine,
> but if someone found a 1997 Vino Nobile would you have responded the
> same way? I think not.


No, the point is there's no way of telling its condition. I would say
the same about any wine "found in a cupboard".