How do I know when its best to drink my 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon?!
How do I know when its best to drink my 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon?
I have a 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon. How do I know when its best to drink it? It's been stored at room temperature for years now.
Answers:
gryffin is wrong. wine will continue to change as it ages, and will develop different characteristics as it ages. as long as its been stored at room temperature it should be fine. i doubt it is oxidized, and it will have had to have gotten pretty hot to get cooked, and yes it does depend on where it's from and the producer. 1993 Dunn Howell mountain cab is still drinking young. however, a 1994 cheval blanc,(although a blend of cab franc and merlot, but one of the bordeauxs known to age extremely well) is tired, and should have been drank 2-5 years ago. to answer the question properly we would need more information
If it's been stored properly, it should be excellent now. It may continue to improve for another year or two, but not much more. Since it's been stored at room temperature, the chances are greater of it going bad. I wouldn't wait. Pop that puppy! Enjoy!
If it's been at room temperature for years, it might not taste very good. Wine for long-term storage should be stored at a cooler temperature than room temperature, I think between 45-51 degrees F. I would check with Wine Spectator--they often list when wines should be held or drunk. Their website is www.winespectator.com Several factors, including where the wine is from, and the weather in that region during the time when the grapes gre, determines whether or not to drink a wine.
Generally speaking wines do not increase in quality as the bottle gets older. Wines are aged in casks and it is there that the develop their quality. Once it reaches its peak it is then bottled and allowed to rest in storeage for a given period. Once it is released by the vineyard for sale it has completed its cycle and in most cases it will not change from that point on providing it is stored properly. So drink up now and I hope you enjoy.
A very good cali cab would be peaking right around now, so drink it. That's for a properly cellared one though. There's a good chance your bottle has oxidized if there has been a lot of temperature variation. Try it and see. And then get a good portable wine cellar.
Most wines are made for consumption within a year of it being purchased. If you bought a rare brand of wine which is designated for aging then i would usually wait around 7-10 years unless otherwise specified.
when your thirsty