I had fun with a KL Wine auction and purchase nice old pinots for $125. At 26 years old, this bottle from Davis Bynum was the second youngest.

Nose of old dusty attic that was full of cardboard boxes thst had been used to transport strawberries. Some light sawdust there, too. Almost fun how the strawberry notes are trying to still exist when you give it a good long smell.

On the mouth, I was shocked to still find all the typical Russian River pinot red berries. Very dry and 10 years past its prime, but mildly juicy with lovely bright red mountain berries and fresh strawberries. It had a pretty short finish with nothing interesting happening afterward.

Fun bottle to drink and learn from. Also included in the 5-bottle auction were other random Nor Cal pinot noirs from 2003, 1997, 1990, and 1982. This was the last bottle of the five. I think 2 bottles were undrinkable, 2 were fun and enjoyable but obviously past their prime, and 1 that was still fresh and vibrant.

Makes me want to buy more low cost bottles at auctions to see what other regions and varietals are like when they're over aged.