Dunno if I've mentioned, but my late uncles place, (my temporary home right now) includes a once incredibly stocked wine cellar. Several years ago, while he was out of the country, something horrible happened to the refrigeration equipment, and nobody noticed until he was home. As a result, most of the wine turned, and 8 out of every 10 bottles get poured down the sink.
As you can imagine, it is much depleted now...but tonight, desperate for some decent red wine, I picked 3 bottles to test.
The first, a '93 merlot, went down the drain. The second was a '95 Nederburg Paarl Cabernet Sauvingnon. Once I peeled off the foil I despaired...the top of the cork was black and unpleasant looking. Certain that it would follow the first, I nonetheless pulled the cork.
The bouquet was not inspiring at first, but I poured a glass to check the colour...it looked good...I dared to sample it...
Damn...rich, smooth, velvety, fruity...one of the best wines it's been my pleasure to drink this year. The last glass of it is in front of me now as I digest my roast potatoes, butternut, gemsquash and rump steak, followed by dark cranberry chocolate.
Just goes to show...you never can tell...wonder if any of the remaining magnums are drinkable...
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/wink.gif)
--A