I've said the hell with it and started drinking the wine I stashed away over the years.
The last two nights we enjoyed a 1980 McDowell Valley Vineyards Estate Bottled 1980 Syrah. California, Mendocino County, about 25 miles south.
40 years old, good cork and just a little sediment.
It has a great, mature nose and is what you hope for in a soft palate.
A bonus is that the winery's winemaker at the time, George Bursick, was a friend of mine and his name is on the label.
I should have started this with our two-weeks-ago 1996 "Knotty Vine" Zinfandel from Rodney Strong and a 1980 Parducci Petite Sirah before that.
Both had difficult corks and needed straining, but were otherwise very nice.
More reports to come.
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