crumbly, dry cork

It generally means that the wine has been stored in a dry environment, or upright, for a lengthy period of time. It can also happen in any bottle of older (10+ years) wine, regardless of storage conditions. It doesn't necessarily mean that the wine will be affected, but wines with faulty corks will oxidize more rapidly than properly sealed bottles will.

Mark Lipton

Thank you. They taste awful. And, yes, year is 1997. Bleagh! Thanks!