I received an intriguing enquiry about a recently discovered bottle of 1961 red Bergerac:-
I recently purchased a home with many old bottles of liquor and some wine. Most of the wine was opened, but there is a bottle of 1961 red wine from the Bergerac region. I not sure what vineyard it is from. The top of the label says VALLE FRERS; on the bottom it says a Lamothe Montravel Dordogne. It was kept in the basemenT...cool and dark. Any idea if it's drinkable? Can I retire if I sell it?
My response was as follows:-
"From the information you have given me I can only make the following observations:-
If there is no “Chateau” name, then it is likely that this was a “negociant” wine – i.e probably blended from a number of local vineyards, and the “Valle Freres” also suggests it was marketed by a company rather than a specific vineyard. This is quite likely as in the early 1960s Bergerac was mainly a source of cheap supermarket, co-operative and table wines – it is only in recent years that Bergerac has started to gain a reputation for some really good wines, often matching good Bordeaux, and usually at a better price – and predominantly from small individual domaines with their name on the label.
The reds from Bergerac are made predominantly from Bordeaux grape varieties – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Even if it were one of the best Bergeracs of its time, it is unlikely that it would have been matured in oak, nor have the longevity associated with the best of Bordeaux. 42 years is testing for any wine, even one which is vinified and bottled with long life in mind.
However 1961 was a good vintage year in Bordeaux with which Bergerac shares a similar climate.
Lamothe-Montravel is a small village west of Bergerac on the River Dordogne, and close to the Bordeaux vineyards. Montravel is now an appellation in its own right.
It will certainly be rare – and the bottle and label (if in reasonable condition) are more likely to be of some value rather than the contents.You might want to check it out with a specialist Wine Auction house (e.g. Christies or Sothebys) just to be sure, but personally I would not hold out much hope of it being of any value, and also it is highly unlikely that it will be drinkable.
But opening it could be fun! One indicator will be the level of the wine in the neck – if the level has shrunk below the shoulder it is likely to have turned. I doubt you can do any harm trying it – if the cork is intact that is a good sign – if it is rotted through then forget it - if it smells off then throw it – if it has some residual red rather than brown colour then it maybe OK. In any event treat it gently – the wine will be frail, and not forgiving of being shaken or disturbed. There will undoubtedly be a fair bit of sediment, so careful pouring will be required – I’d advise against decanting as this would disturb the wine too much, and decanting is generally used to aerate the wine which this is unlikely to need. Use a large wine glass, and after pouring just swirl gently and sniff to see if there are any aromas – good or bad. If bad, then forget it – if neutral or interesting then it may be worth a sip!
Good Luck – let me know if you sell or open it – would be intrigued to know the outcome."
If anyone has any other ideas or information post a comment or email us at john@frenchduck.co.uk
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Keywords:France,Bergerac,Dordogne,wine,Montravel,1961
