With 12% alcohol, the 1970 Chateau Verdignan cost under $18 back then and scored a fine 16 points on the 20-point Dionysian scale.

All brick in color with brownish edges, it was easy to drink after decanting just prior to tasting. The old wine showed cedar and lead pencil, leather and even some black currant and plum.

Served with lamb chops and veggies. Perfect.

The wine had peaked (notes from a 1995 tasting) about 15 to 20 years ago, but was still exciting to savor a Bordeaux that was over half a century old. In Vino Veritas.