I recently began renovation on my home and found a 1999 Windsor Vineyards Signature Series Pinot Noir on top of a cabinet. It has been on it's side up there collecting dust for at least the last 8 years and I'm wondering if it is worth opening up or is 9 years too long for a Pinot Noir to sit in it's bottle. The cork has not dried out and I keep my house at about 68-75 degrees all year. Thanks, Michael
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Unfortunately, this is a relatively fast-maturing wine, and the bottle has been stored in one of the least favorable places in a house. Bear in mind that the top of a cabinet is the warmest part of a room, and there is also considerable exposure to light. That said, the best answer to your question is simply to open the bottle and taste the wine, as that is the only way to be certain of the condition.
