Both of the following wines were purchased second hand for the same price, $30, from Winebid.
Because yesterday's game started here at noon, we put off opening a libation until around the middle of the New England game which was such a yawner after the Seattle-Green Bay game that by then we truly needed something. Because it turned out we were celebrating, I chose a 2002 Delille Harrison Hill, a Bordeaux blend from a European-minded producer and cooler location in a warm vintage that produced intensely flavored but structured wines. $30 per was a heck of a price--these currently retail at around $80--I bid on and won six out of seven bottles available bottles. Ripe fruit, almost jammy but not so much in the way of overtly ripe fruit as the slight stew of poor storage--they lacked freshness, and the cork came out dry but in two pieces. It was drinkable even if not what I know a good bottle of HH should be like. I'll open another this week before I cry over this purchase, but I'm not hopeful. In spite of the fact that relatively few of the wines I've purchased second hand have had obvious custody-related issues, it does happen.
But here's the other side of the coin, opened last weekend: 1970 Dauzac, a middlin' Margaux, the second and better (bottle variation 'better', the other bottle was very good, it's just that this one was especially stellar) of two bottles I bought. An absolute delight of mature Bordeaux with good lighter red color, terrific perfumed aromas, and tea-like essences along with a tidy amount of fruit for it's age.
