inherited wine

[winecollector]

Well, I started trying to go through each of your wines individually, and found that the oldest ones, earlier than 77', are likely no good. Both of the Chateau Lascombes are probably fading at best, as this Chateau had trouble making good wine consistently in the late 70's and early 80's. Couldn't find anything on the 77' Sichel. Confirm that the 79' Latour Figeac is still most likely good, and is probably at peak, so should be drunk soon. The 77' Haut-Bages-Liberal is likely past peak, if even drinkable. All of your 79's from St Emilion I would expect to be okay, but again, I would drink them soon. The 78' Haut-Batailley is a toss-up. May have been too light and without concentration to hold up this long, but it could suprise you as well. The 80' Gruaurd-Larose, if it would have been any other year, I'd say it's without question still good, but being prior to 81', again may only be drinkable. The 80' Chateau Talbot is also an 'off' year, but as good and capable of aging as their wine normally is, it may be okay. Some good news, the 81' Chateau Gloria has hopefully aged well, and should be at peak. And last of all, the 80' Clos Du Val still has a chance of being good, especially if it is the Reserve Cabernet bottling. It too has possibly reached its peak and may be heading down the other side, but I think should still be enjoyable.

Well Matthew, since it seems you've had good storage conditions, the odds may be a little more in your favor on these than what we usually find with other inherited wines. Really, the only way to tell for sure is to open them. None of them really have any value to them, so I don't recommend trying to sell them or anything. My suggestion, is when your in the mood to try one, just go for it, because the longer you keep them, the more likely they will not be any good. I hope for your sake, that if I errored on the side of caution at all, your wines turn out to be better than what would normally be expected.

Best of luck to you, and enjoy!