bad wine?

[leosc]

I've just opened a Montepulciano D' Abruzzo 1997 and I find the taste unpleasant. It seems like the cork has gotten into the taste of it and its color is like reddish brown. Does this mean that the wine has already gone bad because I've kept them for a long time or is it how its suppose to taste?

I am also wondering how the old wines which are meant to be aged in the bottle would taste. Since I have not yet been able to try one of those I am right to assume that it will also have the taste of the cork in the bottle?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Leosc, and welcome to the Wine Board. That wine should been just about in its prime. In fact it should have been fine for a few more years. It was definitely not "old." Sounds like you go either a bad cork or a bad bottle. This could have been aggrievated by exposure to high heat (over 80 degrees F). At any rate something ruined it. It should not have been brown nor taste unpleasant. Take it back if you can. Try another; it's usually a wonderful wine.

[winoweenie]

Hi leosc and my question is " How Has this wine been stored? " Do you have a vinotemp or the equivalent or a suitable storage 55-65* area? Wine can be burned up by bad provenance. WW

[leosc]

I did store it in our kitchen counter for about a year. It was near our oven so maybe that ruined it. It just seems strange because I opened a Merlot a few days ago but it was good and they have been stored in the same place although the Merlot have been there for just about six months.

[winoweenie]

BINGO111 ww

[Thomas]

You simply cannot store wine in a kitchen next to an oven and expect it to be drinkable.

[Kcwhippet]

My sister did when she kept a bottle of 1975 Vieux Telegraphe in the cupboard over her stove for eight years. She was so wrong!

[leosc]

Oh well, lesson learned the hard way. I'll just make sure I don't do it again.