Will you buy a bottle of Port at auction IF ...

[Roy Hersh]

The description mentions the bottle showing signs of seepage or ... past seepage?

[Andy Velebil]

I can't recall ever buying a known leaker. but if the price was really cheap and the fill level was still good, like into the neck, then I might bite.

[Roy Hersh]

I think you may be surprised.

[Moses Botbol]

It's such a crap shoot, but generally I will bid on bottles with SOS or past SOS. I have seen that described and then seen the bottles and they looked perfect. I recall a case of '70 Ramos that had SOS written all over the description. When we opened the OWC, I never saw such a pristine case.

For sure I like it when the auction house sides on the caution with their descriptions. I much prefer bin soiling or torn labels.

[David Spriggs]

The description mentions the bottle showing signs of seepage or ... past seepage?

I do, but I'm cautious about it. If a lot of wines from that consignor show Signs of Seepage, then I'll pass. Most likely poor storage. If it's a few bottles leaking in a case of older Port, then I just take that into account when bidding.

-Dave-

[Glenn E.]

I've done it, and even though the description was wrong I was happy with the result. The bottle that actually had SOS turned out to be tasty with no obvious problems from damage, and bottle that was advertised with SOS but turned out to be pristine was a 1985 Fonseca that hasn't been opened yet. :)

[Eric Ifune]

I'm more concerned with the level. I've noticed that sweeter wines tend to seep more. I have heard this has to do with the viscosity of the wine. I've had many which have had signs of seepage which tasted fine.

[Roy Hersh]

No surprise to me that with Port and Madeira, weeping signs of seepage are less important than items like fill level. As a Port consumer advocate I've always been one to say, "labels and capsules be damned" when it comes to buying special single bottles, like at auction. Unless you're looking for show pieces, who cares, you are going to drink them eventually, right?

[David Spriggs]

No surprise to me that with Port and Madeira, weeping signs of seepage are less important than items like fill level. As a Port consumer advocate I've always been one to say, "labels and capsules be damned" when it comes to buying special single bottles, like at auction. Unless you're looking for show pieces, who cares, you are going to drink them eventually, right?

I totally agree with this. My only concern about labels is when there is only a typwritten label and no capsule... then they say something like "believed 1945 Croft"... that get's me scared. I know that the 1955 Taylor I bought turned out to be 1955 Burmester I was a surpringly good wine... but not Taylor.
-Dave-