Safe to Drink?

I would not expect to get much out of any of them even if they aren't bad wines. They aren't especially old and from what you describe they were kept in less then ideal condition.

Were they stored near chemical products? Is there any signs that the corks have let air in? Technicly, an air raid shelter would be a somewhat cold and damp place wich is nice to store wine. But the amount of sediment that you describe sounds abnormal for a 10 year old wine. If you answer no to the 2 questions above, I don't see any reasons to believe that they are not safe to drink.

This region of Portugal usually makes fine wine. Maybe over the hill. I don't know, I don't keep my whites that long.

If this one was well kept, it should be in good shape. Mr. Soulez is well respected and is known for the high quality of it's work. In fact, I would keep this one lock up for another 5 years.

Could still be in good shape. If you drink it, I would be interrested to know if it kept well for 15 years.

That's a keeper but you could drink it now. Desert wine. I believe that puttonyos denotes the quality of the grappes and that this indicates a lower quality lot. Not that it's bad or anything, just not the cream of the crop.

I would not buy, other then at an absolute bargain price, any bottle wich I am not sure if it was kept in proper conditions. Drink them with friends and/or family. You may have a few nice suprises in there.

Stefan Mazur

You asked "Would they be safe to drink?" Certainly. There are no known pathogens that live in wine.

The other question that you did not ask is "Would they be any good to drink?" The only way to answer that is to try them. I will bet that they are not getting any better so why not have a party or parties among friends who might be interested and open them. Do have some back ups in case they are no good which is very likely. They may have oxidized or may have taken on some bade taste through the cork from their environment.. They will not make you sick, just taste bad. If so have a decent wine standing by to toast their demise as you respectfully pore them down the drain. If can be great fun testing old wine among friends who have no great expectations.

Ray

Hi Thanks to both of you for the advice, I particularly like the idea of getting some friends round to try them, a good excuse for a party! They weren't stored near any chemicals and the corks are still intact so a party it is. I'll post an update on how they kept/tasted once I've recovered from the hangover. Thanks again Eryka

No, it's the exact opposite, it's almost the cream of the crop. It is the quantity of puttonyos added to a 30 gallon barrel, 6 is the highest. The only level higher than 6 is Essencia, which is unbeleivably good.

It is high quality desert wine as you mentioned. 3 puttonyos is pretty amazing, 5 would be great.

It's the best wine to come out of Hungary, and some consider it the best dessert wine, period.

Joe

...> 4. Tokaji, Aszu, 5 Puttonyos, 1998. This has an oily looking sediment

That's a keeper but you could drink it now. Desert wine. I believe that

puttonyos denotes the quality of the grappes and that this indicates a lower quality lot. Not that it's bad or anything, just not the cream of

the crop.

My mistake! I only have limited, but always enjoyable, experience with Tokaji. Thanks for the info.

Stefan Mazur

It is really good, isn't it? My next door neighbor is Hungarian, he's the main reason I know anything about it. I never cared much for sweet wine until I tasted that. If I ever made a wine that well I might just quit and move onto rocket science, it's probably easier to get a handle on. :o)

Joe

Nectar of the Gods. And that's just the 5 Putts. I can't imagine what the 6 or Essencia is like. Some day I'll give it a shot.

Andy