The Most Expensive Wine in My Cellar

[@brienmiller1005]

I'll play this for everyone who asks why I've kept so many bottle for decades. A special thank you for coming back to the bottle.There is nothing better in wine to me than well made, well aged bottles and how, if in good shape, they evolve over the course of hours.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I appreciate your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. The Cornas was amazing, kept changing for hours. I retasted a bit the next day, still drinking well!

[@darylfortney8081]

Dude lived to 95 and produced wine until his very day... tells me his wine must be good for you. A veritable elixir of youth

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Should be a case study!

[@carlcadregari7768]

What a great treat. I’ve heard many times that magnums are one of the best ways to keep age-able wines in a well managed cellar. The classics are classics for a reason. Cheers.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Carl, there was a bit left the next morning. Still holding strong. Sensational! 🍷

[@carlcadregari7768]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine so cool.

[@BatiBatut]

​@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine I have a 1988 amarone magnum in a very strange bottle shape, big bulky almost round base. Do you think I can keep it in a vertical position. It has a very large cork with red wax. The glass is completely opaque. Affraid to open it..

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@BatiBatut I have a similar bottle of Tommasi Amarone from the late 90’s.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@carlcadregari7768 Definitely!

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

You can tell from the video how much fun you've had with this wine! It's the best feeling in the world to open a bottle hoping nothing happened to it, and then it's not only in good shape, but much better than you'd expected. Cheers!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

It’s been years since I last tasted this wine. Previous bottles were excellent, I was hopeful it would still be in good shape. The condition of the cork had me feeling like it would be ok. There was a leftover glass set on the countertop. It was still drinking well the next morning. I made a KZbin short showing it. I’ll post it over the day or two.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Random question. Does everything now look ok with my channel? Everything looks back to normal, not strange links or odd looking pages.

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine wow... overnight and the glass is still drinkable. These kinds of stories defying all odds are what excites me most about the wine world.

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine I haven't seen anything strange, no. It's true that they changed the iconic red bar so that the end of it looks more a shade of pink, but I guess it's just a stylistic change made by KZbin. As for the odd pages, I figured out there's a huge part of video thumbnails covered by a paid promotion button that brings you to an info page, and I would simply central-click on the thumbnail to pen it in a new tab, inadvertently clicking on that huge button which would only appear when hovering for longer. It's a really stupid move by KZbin in my view. We should be treated like functioning adults; we know many content creators get revenue from promotions, and I don't think we need a thumbnail covered in a big button linked to an apocalyptic page. Just a rant and a feedback in case it ever applies to you from paid promotion! Cheers :)

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032 KZbin is constantly tweaking things, most are minor adjustments. The communication is general excellent. Most changes are accompanied with a video explaining everything in detail. For example, short format videos are being extended from a max of one minute to three minutes. The videos must be formatted to new guidelines. Fair enough, but cosmetic changes sometimes occur randomly.

[@dangareau3143]

I don’t think i have ever seen you enjoy a tasting that much. Your face said it all. Smart move on your part to keep at least one to see its evolution i would do the exact same thing even if it’s worth 3k. Very envious!! Great video. Cheers!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

😂🤣 So true! The wine was amazing. Absolutely, I’m keeping one. Thanks for the nice comment. 🍷

[@stevenholt4936]

Thanks, Bob, interesting video. Love Cornas. I am currently drinking 2013 from Perrin and it is superb - probably not quite in the same league as your 1999 but delicious, all the same.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Steven, thanks. The Perrin is good, sounds like it’s showing well. 🍷

[@speruman]

Thanks for sharing that experience with us, Bob. I doubt I'll ever have the opportunity to taste a wine that expensive, so it's nice to be along for the ride.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

You never know, the opportunity may come. Thanks for commenting.

[@ryantatsumoto7805]

One of my deathbed wines... we stopped purchasing once the auction prices got close to $400... love the pre-2000 vintages when all three vineyards were in the blend...

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

The prices have spiked in recent years as inventory levels are depleted. I love the older vintages as well. Brilliant wines.

[@andrewyarosh1809]

I so appreciate your sharing these gems from your collection. And your joy in enjoying them. And BTW, I would have been sneaking snorts every 15 minutes just like you did😂😂😂😂

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I appreciate your comment. Funny thing. When I was editing the final video, I thought to myself, “oh man, I look like I’ve been sneaking sips, lots of sips.” 😂

[@jaechung895]

Thankful for every video. Being able to learn so much.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I greatly appreciate your comment. I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos. Cheers! 🍷

[@geoffpm]

Thanks for opening this wine and tasting it over time. Great episode !

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks, I appreciate your message.

[@johnpurdy6284]

Great video! So interesting to hear how the aromas and flavours devolp after the bottle is opened. To me, thats one the most fascinating things about wine: how a bottle can smooth out, and different flavours move into the forefront over a few hours. I appreciate rhat Bob takes the time to share that with us.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi John, there was a bit leftover, about one glass. I left it on the countertop. It was still drinking well the next morning.

[@nigelgreenhalgh4316]

Brilliant Video, very informative. I love older wines. I enjoyed a 2005 Ch. Du Pape with some venison. OMG yes, such a pleasure to track the wine's development over years (I had 6 bottles) and then in the glass. Tracking the evolution of a wine is the pinnacle of wine, for me. There are few other natural products which allow this 😊

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you, I’m glad you found the video enjoyable. I also enjoy tracking the development of older wines. For age worthy wines, I typically buy multiple bottles. With the Cornas in the video, it had been many years since last tasting it. Your ‘05 should’ve been outstanding. Cheers! 🍷

[@ricknelsteel]

Wow, you lucky dog. Cornas is a beautiful wine, hard to afford these days. I’ve been drinking a Beaune Greve 1er cru 2000 recently and it was fantastic.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Sounds like you’re a lucky dog as well! 🍷

[@TheDesertWineGuy]

Thank you for the video, I enjoyed it. As for $3,000, I would NEVER spend that kind of money for a wine :)

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for the nice comment. Same for me, I’d never spend that much.

[@brianlevoguer2777]

It sounds like it's developing nicely after opening

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

A small amount was leftover, it was still holding up well the next day!

[@alistaircorbishley5881]

Although, I have known about Cornas for a couple of decades, I've only recently started drinking it (2015 Delas Chante Pedrix, Courbis Champelrose and Courbis La Sabarotte) and I have been blown away by them! Why didn't I try this appellation sooner?????

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Sounds like you need to make up for lost time! 🍷

[@alistaircorbishley5881]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine had my head turned by Aussie Shiraz for too long!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@alistaircorbishley5881 That can be remarkable as well.

[@alistaircorbishley5881]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Penfolds St Henri 🤤

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@alistaircorbishley5881 Oh yes!

[@erichorning662]

What a treat for your neighbours! I’ve never tried a Cornas before but my local store has a few bottles of Francois Villard 2020 ‘Jouvet’ Cornas that I think I may have to buy now. Great video, love the older vintage tastings.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

If you pick up the 2020, it’ll need five year min before popping it. As for the neighbors, it’s good to share.! 🍷

[@erichorning662]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine that’s what I was thinking too. The review said it would go until 2028 but I thought that was probably under-appreciating it’s potential. Have you tried anything from Francois Villard? I only just discovered him this year with his 2020 Saint Joseph Mairlant Blanc.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@erichorning662 I have tried some of his wines. The range is broad. The style is leaning more to a modern style. The wines have good purity and they are technically made well. The wines don’t have quite the funkiness of some northern Rhône wine producers. It comes down to what you prefer. How wines are very good, no doubt about it. I hope that helps.

[@erichorning662]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine thank you for the insight.

[@longhaulblue]

I smoked some salmon and cauliflower on the weber and had it with the Trader Joe's Bourgogne chardonnay you recommended. Side of blanched rapini. Some harisa mayo for the roasted cauliflower. It was delicious with the chardonnay. Thanks for the recommendation. It's a winner.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

That’s good news! That bottle disappears in a hurry. 😂

[@blurds]

Great watch! You're making me tempted to go and stock up on a load of Mathieu Barret while it's still kind of affordable!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

How can you go wrong?

[@Macdaddy418]

I wish i had more Verset cornas in my cellar. I drank it all. Now it's out of my price range. Oh well, guess it will have to be its neighbor tonight, Coronas

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Same for me, buying more at the current price is out of the question. If you were my neighbor, I’d share my limited Verset. 🍷

[@gerardgreen3441]

Bravo! Lovely review of a great wine. Amazed at the 12.5 abv. Coronas takes forever to reach its optimal drinking window. I have a case of Clape ‘12. Tried a bottle recently and it was way too early. They need another 7-10 years! I’ll be 85 so it may be my son who enjoys them!!

[@gerardgreen3441]

Cornas not Coronas!!😡

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for the good word on the video. I was surprised by the 12.5 abv as well. Clape is wonderful, decades of life left in that one. You’ll get to drink it in its prime, it’s all about clean living!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

👍

[@rb1084]

There are not many wine coolers where the temperature is actually constant, I think only Eurocave comes close to perfection. Often there is a temperature fluctuation due to the compressor switching on and off, not ideal for the long term.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’ve have an Arte Vino. It’s worked well for about ten years. Temp fluctuates maybe two degrees Fahrenheit. It’s super quiet. It has padded feet to limit vibration.

[@dmitrivassiliev15]

You have the luckiest neighbors, Bob. I think you mentioned minimal presence of oak. Is it typical for Northern Rhone Syrah? Cheers!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

When I bring wine, they are happy! 😂 The use of oak in the N Rhône depends on the wine producer. Traditionalists go with more older oak, others JL Colombo or Guigal use more new oak. Cheers!

[@UncleHoCM]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Of course!

[@erichorning662]

Do you find any consistent marked difference in style/character or age-ability between the N.Rhone appellations or would you say it’s more producer specific?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Much more producer specific. I prefer more traditional producers. I’m not a fan of excessive use of new oak. In time, the oak dominates the wine as the more primary character fades.

[@TheWinezen]

If you bought this wine for USD 25, that will always be at the back of your mind. Plus, youhad four of them and have tasted them over the years. So, you will never be psychologically prepared to pay USD 3,000 for it. Now for some folks who have never had the chance to try this wine and enjoy rare gems like this....yeah, USD 3,000 is your chance to try a wine that will never be replicated again since the winemaker has passed on.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

You’re spot on correct.

[@asp04]

How do you know how long you can age a wine for?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

It’s really a best guess. In this case, the wine is not falling apart, it’s balanced with good length on the finish. It leads me to believe it can hold up for additional years. Every wine has a lifecycle, most are quite short. This wine has a long history of aging well for decades.

[@henriklindhansen6456]

Well, what can i say.. I will prob never taste that wine again. But again, i have met noel, a few times in 89 tru 92. If i rember right. I was just a big boy back then. but the wines ware amazing. drank my last 2 bottels at my 25th, birthday party. :) Thats almost 25 yers aggo, how time fly..

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for sharing your story I’ve been to Cornas a couple of times, but never met Noel. For me, his wines, along with Chave are the very best.

[@henriklindhansen6456]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Would agree. but it meny yers since i have tasted them. but i remember them at the same class a Augustes wines. (Clape). I spend a whole day with Auguste when i was 15. Him showing me grapes, dirt and rocks. and explaning in hand gestures and french. looking back at it was perfect :)

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@henriklindhansen6456 Great story!

[@xbl1tz2clawx]

What vintage report is it you use @bob?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Here you go…

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westchesterwine.com%2F%2Fimages%2Fsites%2Fwestchesterwine%2Fgallery%2FVintage_Chart_2022-2.png&tbnid=Gvxo8WuszYbVJM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westchesterwine.com%2Ftopics%2FVintage-Chart-g012926498&docid=jcD5JhpyWn816M&w=1100&h=1227&itg=1&hl=en-us&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F3&kgs=77245a67f104748a&shem=abme%2Ctrie

[@xbl1tz2clawx]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine sorry bob did I miss ? something I meant the app or excel sheet looking thing in the video ;)

[@xbl1tz2clawx]

My bad that link didn't appear on my phone!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@xbl1tz2clawx Does the link work? It’s the vintage chart in the video.

[@epbski]

Volatile acidity meaning it has a slight hint of a vinegar aroma?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Slight, it’s actually complimentary.

[@epbski]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine I've also heard some wines, such as those from Penfolds for example, described as having a formic acid aroma (apparently an acid originally derived from ants). Are you familiar with that term? I'm guessing that the term formic is used to describe the same volatile acidity smell of a positive slight vinegary aroma?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@epbski Sounds like I need to do a little research. From ants? This should be a good read! Thanks.

[@epbski]

​@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine I only heard of it because I was watching a tasting of Grange with Penfolds chief winemaker. I guess they wanted to sound extra intellectual by using the term "formic". I've read tech sheets of Penfolds wines, and they definitely try to be intellectual and erudite with their tasting notes. Not that ants were every used in wine, but formic acid is named from the Latin word for ant because some ants use it as a defense mechanism. And I read that now it is produced and used industrially. Apparently it has a smell similar to vinegar, but even a bit more pungent.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@epbski That sounds like a good read for my next airline flight. Wines like Grange have long shown brettanomyces which is a spoilage yeast at excessive levels. Controlled, it can add complexity. It’s a fine line.

[@danf321]

I DARE you to blind taste this French wine with a bottle of 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg red wine. Don’t hit, I was joking😆.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

😂🤣

[@robertomangioni9272]

no reason to pay so much

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Great wine can be found for much less. I paid $25 per bottle over two decades ago.

[@dr7246]

There was an article on Jancis Robinson’s website describing the phenomena of sediment in the presence of O2 (after the bottle is opened) and the impact on flavor. I’m not suggesting that you’re wrong for not decanting. Just pointing out that there does seem to be an objective impact on flavor from leaving opened wine, with sediment, undecanted. I don’t remember the details of the research, however

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’d like to read that article. Thanks for calling it out. My feeling is the introduction of too much oxygen can result in an older or fragile wine to fall apart quickly. A bit of the Cornas was tasted the next day, still drinking beautifully.

[@dr7246]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine I think it was published 5-8 years ago. But I’m not certain. I don’t think you’re wrong about fragility. You may find said article interesting, however

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@dr7246 I’ll look for it. Thanks.