Old bottle of wine

I picked up an old bottle of wine at a recent Estate Sale. It is a Chateau LaVieille Cure, Cotes De Fronsac 1969. There are no signs of evaporation, the seal is intact with no wrinkles or signs of leakage or cork swelling and there are no stains on the label. I'm told the bottle was stored on it's side in a cool, dark, basement wine cellar for it's entire life. Does anyone have a feel as to the value and whether it might still be drinkable?

Thanks, Bob Evans

[David M. Bueker]

Hi Bob & welcome!

Drinkability is a crap shoot, as 1969 was not much of a vintage for Bordeaux, and Fronsac was not so hot an appelation at the time (it's better now). Value is likely just as a curiosity except for someone with an attachment to that bottle (e.g. someone born in 1969).

I'd say the monetary value is basically nil. 1969 is considered a poor year in Bordeaux, and as David said Fronsac wasn't exactly a "hot" appellation. La Vielle Cure makes a very good wine now, but not something one would typically age for 20 much less 40+ years.
That said, it won't hurt you, and there's a small but significant possibility you might find it quite drinkable. I've been surprised at supposedly bad vintages before.

[Jenise]

What David said, Bob. The bottle has no resale value--but maybe, if you're lucky, it won't be a half-bad drinking experience. Pop it with a braised red meat dish (not a rare steak, but well-cooked meat softened by hours of cooking time), have a back-up bottle standing by just in case, and hope for the best.

Welcome Bob,

1969 was a poor year in Bordeaux. Looking at notes for various 1969 Bordeaux on Cellar Tracker, it looks like some of the better ones can still be drinkable, but way past their prime. Vieille Cure is a respectable Chateau, but not in the league of the ones that appear to still have some chance at being drinkable. Having had a number of old wines from weak vintages, I can tell you that they can be very surprising, and if the cork is still good, there is a substantial chance that it will be drinkable at least when first opened, though if that is the case, it will likely collapse soon thereafter. No value for drinking, but someone who collects old wines might be willing to give you at most $30 considering that it sounds to be in good condition. I'm the crazy sort that would be willing to pay $10 to actually try drinking it, just as a curiosity experience. Alternatively, if you know someone born that year, you might give it to them with the understanding that it is an antique/showpiece, not a wine for drinking.

Good Luck,
Ryan

hmm.. I've never seen wine at an estate sale before. Maybe someone else usually grabs it before I get there. Even with no resale value, it sounds like it'll be fun opening it.