1970-1975

[James McKenzie]

I've just acquired about 15 bottles of wine from '70-'75 I need some info on them where is the best place to find there values. Thanks James

[Jerry D Mead]

James...It depends so much on the wines. If they are rated growth Bordeaux there are books that quote recent auction/retail prices.

If they are from a few of the most collectable California vineyards (BV Private Reserve, etc) there might be some value.

If from mass market California or French producers there's no collectable value at all...and if they aren't from among a few very long-lived wines and/or haven't been properly stored (relatively low constant temperature), they may not even be drinkable.

It having just been my 60th birthday, I opened a bunch of old wines and can tell you it was hit or miss. A 1978 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet looked and smelled like Cream Sherry...but didn't taste nearly that good...and it was from a magnum bottle that is supposed to age more slowly.

A magnum of Chateau Montelena 1978, however, was amazingly youthful...still had fruit and even a little tannin left to be resolved. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

JDM