WTN: 1975 Les Ormes de Pez

1975Chateau Les Ormes de Pez St. Estephe

Another gift bottle from my retired army colonel friend, who lugged his wines around the world, storing them in closets, cellars, attics and spare corners of his government quarters. After 32 years of abuse, and from beneath a cork that's now not much firmer than yesterday's oatmeal, this old Bordeau still delivered a modicum of pleasure thanks to whiffs of violets and hints of berries. What kept it alive? Could it be the low (11 percent) alcohol helped?

Clint, sometimes it's just dumb luck. According to probability, if we sample enough bottles (well, almost an infinite number), then no matter how badly we treat them, statistically/probability/mathematically, one or more might survive the abuse. But its not really recommended, obviously!

Family story, going back a few years: My maiden aunt made one trip to Europe, mostly Italy, to visit the old country and the relatives still alive at the time, and brought back 1 bottle of wine for my Grandmother, a bottle of Dom Perignon, don't remember the vintage, but mid to late 60's. Nona stored it in the kitchen counter drawer next to the stove (! for gossake), and wouldn't let anyone touch it, even to move it. Well, it got forgotten, till Nona, Auntie Bru, and everyone alse of that generation had passed, and was found when we sold the house in 1998.

The wine was spectacular! Had no business even being drinkable, but nevertheless....