Recently picked this bottle up for around 12 bucks at Bottle Barn (they’ve purchased several cellars lately supposedly with good provenance - I also picked up a magnum of Ravenswood 1997 Donnell Merlot for just under $40). Used to be a Wellington club member prior to the sale of the winery to VJB in the mid-2010’s.
Cork was in great shape, decanted leaving substantial sediment behind. Initial nose of overpowering oak and a slight hint of manure. Tasted very oaky and disjointed at first, not awful, but not very pleasant either. Over an hour or so it started to pull together. Washed the bottle out and poured the 600 ml or so back in and capped with a silicone stopper.
24 hours later, this wine is balanced and wonderful. The oak has totally receded, some deep, rich fruit has appeared, tannins and acid are wonderfully balanced, simply delicious. Hard to believe that it’s 24 years old.
I imagine there’s a substantial amount of Syrah in the blend, but the bottle info doesn’t break it down. Alcohol is a reasonable 13.8%. Really wish I had more of these, or had held onto my other Wellingtons longer. Peter’s other wines are probably aging beautifully as well (e.g. Victory).
