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Decanting - small bottle vs large

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bob.ramsak

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Decanting - small bottle vs large

by bob.ramsak » Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:21 pm

Question I was hoping someone could shed some light on:

Would a wine poured from a 375ml bottle need more time to decant than wine poured from a 750ml or larger? I opened a 2005 St Emilion last night from a 375ml and it needed >forever< to open up. Does the fact that the wine was trapped in a smaller space make it need more air when finally freed? I know wines in small bottles won't age as long as those in larger bottles. Does decanting time somehow relate to that? Or was I simply over-analyzing while waiting for the wine to wake up?

Thanks!
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David M. Bueker

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Re: Decanting - small bottle vs large

by David M. Bueker » Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:26 pm

Hi Bob!

It's actually likely that the larger bottle would need more time. 375s are known to age a bit quicker.

I am betting that a 2005 Bordeaux would be a bit grumpy, so that would increase decanting need.
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Dale Williams

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Re: Decanting - small bottle vs large

by Dale Williams » Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:35 pm

I'm with David. Conventional wisdom (and my experience) is that half bottles age faster.
I'd agree as well a rather grumpy time for 2005s. Only '05 Pomerol I've had recently was Bourgneuf (usually a more forward Pomerol) and it was pretty tightly coiled.
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Re: Decanting - small bottle vs large

by bob.ramsak » Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:56 pm

Thanks both, much appreciated. Most notes I read on this particular wine suggested 2018-2020 as the best times to enjoy it, so I figured the cusp of that would be good for a 375. Maybe I waited a bit too long. Really appreciate the insight on 2005 -- grumpy and tightly coiled are two very good descriptors. :)

And thanks Dale -- I was a member years ago and finally reconnected after re-subscribing to Robin's newsletter.
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Re: Decanting - small bottle vs large

by David M. Bueker » Sat Nov 18, 2017 4:35 pm

What was the wine Bob? Inquiring minds and all that. ;)
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Re: Decanting - small bottle vs large

by bob.ramsak » Sat Nov 18, 2017 7:23 pm

Chateau Laniote St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2005. Can't locate it in my notes but I'm pretty sure I purchased it in 2008 or 2009.
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Re: Decanting - small bottle vs large

by David M. Bueker » Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:19 pm

Thanks Bob.
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