For The Love Of Port

I saw a bottle of 2000 Fonseca VP at a very nice price but the cork is slightly depressed into the bottle. What could cause that? Is this a reason to pass?

I am slightly concerned about a depressed cork, but would buy a bottle if the price was right. To me, a raised cork is a major concern and I will pass on those nearly all the time. A depressed cork may have gotten pushed in a little too far when initially bottled, or perhaps somewhere along the way. After that, there is just less head space in the bottle. I suppose a significantly cold temperature could draw the cork in, but I really don't think this is that likely or feasible. On the other hand, I think a warm temperature can have greater odds of pushing out a cork. Just me guessing here ...

Like Eric, I am more concerned about raised corks than I am about those that are depressed. The exception to this would be mature vintages where it might be a sign that the bottle has been stored upright and the cork has shrunk and fallen down the neck because it is loose. This is extremely unlikely to be the case with the 2000 vintage as it just isn't old enough for that to happen.

It is far more likely that this cork has simply been pressed too far into the bottle.

Thanks a lot for the info.

I am slightly concerned about a depressed cork

And on a lighter note, I'd strongly suggest the cork seek out treatment and consider a prescription for an anti-depressant.

Roy Hersh wrote:And on a lighter note, I'd strongly suggest the cork seek out treatment and consider a prescription for an anti-depressant.

I was going to warn that you should be careful in extracting a depressed cork as they are subject to breakdowns.

Derek T. wrote:Like Eric, I am more concerned about raised corks than I am about those that are depressed. The exception to this would be mature vintages where it might be a sign that the bottle has been stored upright and the cork has shrunk and fallen down the neck because it is loose. This is extremely unlikely to be the case with the 2000 vintage as it just isn't old enough for that to happen.

It is far more likely that this cork has simply been pressed too far into the bottle.

Was the neck of the bottle sticky with port? How was the fill level? I would not pay top dollar for the bottle, but I would not lose sleep over it if it was a deal. Odds are your side that the bottle will be fine. Raised cork is another issue. Means something was happening inside the bottle (usually bad) that cause the expansion.

Here are a few more details...there is no sign of leakage at all and the fill is mid-way up the neck (normal). Cork is only slightly depressed-foil intact. As to a deal, I think so--Magnum of 2000 Fonseca for $69.48 + tax ($74.35).

John M. wrote:Here are a few more details...there is no sign of leakage at all and the fill is mid-way up the neck (normal). Cork is only slightly depressed-foil intact. As to a deal, I think so--Magnum of 2000 Fonseca for $69.48 + tax ($74.35).

Wow, that is some deal. Is there a bunch of them at that price?

John M. wrote:Cork is only slightly depressed-foil intact … Magnum of 2000 Fonseca

That probably explains the situation.

Large formats tend to be bottled by hand, not by an automated bottling line, which results is some variability of fill levels and corking.

…and that is an absolute steal!!!!

If a cork is slightly depressed, it suggests that it didn't put up much of a fight when it was forced into the bottle, and may therefore be a sub-standard cork.

When a cork under 30 years old breaks up on me when I pull it, I always fear the worst; as there is a much higher likelihood of the wine being tainted. Cork breakage is fairly normal on older bottles, but when the corkscrew pulls a hole through the cork, leaving the rest in situ; that's also a bad sign..