Leaking Bottles

[Jayps Joubert]

Dear "FTLOP", I have recently taken on an exciting new role as House Manager of a private estate and there is a collection of Port Wines in the Cellar, stored on their side in a wine rack. The issue I have is that a number of them are leaking slowly. This has apparently been going on for a number of years. My questions revolve around their "consumability". Are they going off, what do I need to do, can they just stay this way, do you think they will be any good? I dont think they are for consumption, more a collection growing in value, but do I need to do anything regarding this?
Thank you in advance for your advice, Jaen-Pierre Joubert

[Andy Velebil]

Leaking is never good, but it may or may not be horrible and the Ports may still be good. Can you provide some background, such as general location where the bottles have been stored (Country, in a basement or in the attic or next to the stove, what type of Ports are they, etc). That will help us make a better determination in what advice to give you.

[Glenn E.]

I dont think they are for consumption, more a collection growing in value, but do I need to do anything regarding this?

Jaen-Pierre,

Bottles that are leaking are likely not growing in value. Rather, they're losing value the longer they leak. It would be best to prioritize drinking these bottles.

As Andy said, a leaking bottle may still be good. Or even excellent. Port is a very sturdy wine and can handle situations that would ruin a dry red wine. But the longer they leak, thus allowing more and more oxygen into the bottle, the less likely it is that the bottles will still be good or excellent.

[Eric Menchen]

I have been pleasantly surprised that most leakers I've opened have tasted wonderful, to the point that I'm no longer so surprised. But they all carry some risk, and I've had a bunch that were underwhelming as well. Port does hold up better than most wines. The worst leaking bottles I've tasted were not Ports, but Bordeaux, German, etc.

As for selling them, I generally avoid leakers if I can help it. Sometimes they show up in mixed auction lots and I take the good with the bad. I mentally start with an expectation of a 50% discount on a leaking bottle. I might pay more than that if it is rare, or one leaker out of 12. Then there is fill level. The lower that gets, the lower my expectations and my willingness to buy. Into neck is great. Somewhere in the shoulder, maybe. Below the shoulder, skip it and move on. So like Andy and Glenn have pointed out, if you have leaking bottles, they are not improving, but going down in value. Don't hold onto them to appreciate. Either sell them now, or better yet, open them up.

[Moses Botbol]

If you are managing the estate, manage to drink the leakers

[Phil W]

The issue I have is that a number of them are leaking slowly ... do I need to do anything regarding this?

The short answer is yes; the action you need to take will depend on further details regarding the bottles, their condition and storage conditions. Leakage is never good; the value of the bottles and the quality of their contents will be strongly affected by the level of wine in the bottle being lower, so this is just as important whether storing for value or consumption.

There will always be occasional bottles which seep slightly, but it should be uncommon while in storage; it is more common immediately following transport due to the temperature variations typically involved. If you have a significant number of seepers then I would check to ensure the storage conditions are being maintained suitably, and if not then address this as a priority.

If storage conditions are ok, then inspect the bottles for their levels and capsule conditions; are there any specific bottles leaking or groups with common characteristics? For example, it may be particular bottles with disintegrated capsules, which might benefit from re-waxing, especially if other bottles from the same case have seeped (I would consider re-waxing any bottles with damaged capsules as a matter of course). While the expected levels will to some degree be age-dependent, any bottles showing significantly reduced levels or seepage are probably better prioritised for imminent drinking rather than storing/selling.

[Jayps Joubert]

Thanks everybody for your assistance, I will get you the details of the bottles, the environment etc, just got to get through Christmas first!