My wife received a birthday gift of a 1978 Hietz Cabernet Sauvingon--Marth'a Vineyard. We're unsure how it was stored, but it appears as if as has at least been stored horizontally due to the nature of the cork. Even in the best of storage conditions, is this wine drinkable or is it past it's prime?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Heitz Martha's Vineyard is surely an iconic American wine which does age well. Given the uncertain origins and handling of the bottle, however, I would certainly be skeptical about the condition of the wine. You indicate that due to "the nature of the cork," the bottle was stored on its side. How can you tell - isn't the cork hidden by a capsule? Or can you see that the bottom of the cork - the end inside the bottle - has not dried out and is securely seated in the neck? In the end, there is only one answer to your question: after standing up the bottle overnight to settle the sediment, decant the wine and pour yourself a glass!
