With 13% alcohol, and costing under $35, the 2011 Chateau Rausan Gassies was corked. There’s no score for a faulty wine. This Second Grand Cru Classe’ in the 1855 classification is from the Margaux area in Bordeaux and at ten years old, (when I start drinking Bordeaux) it should have been a very nice wine although from a weak vintage. It happens.

Usually a smart Bordeaux buy.

Corked wines were prevalent from the 1990 vintage through about 2005 before the problem was corrected. It happen far fewer times now days. During that period, you’d fine a corked bottle in every case. In Vino Veritas.