vintage wine gifts

Have I damaged my wine with improper storage?

In addition to my normal everyday wine, I have about 6 bottles of red wine that were given to me as gifts, some on the expensive side. None are older than a 99 vintage, most are 2001s. I’ve been holding on to these for about 2 years now, and plan to let them cellar for a while longer. I just made the investment and bought a climate controlled wine cabinet. I know this is the proper way to store wine long term. My question though, have I hurt any of the wine by having it out in the open for the past 2 years? It’s been kept in a 70 degree apartment, and the wine has been lying on it’s side in a dark place.

For your own consumption then there isn’t going to be a problem. those two years will not have hurt them too much, because you are going to consume them pretty soon. however, the longer the storage and maturing time the greater the mistakes made early, will appear.
Example: two bottles of say Cheval Blanc 2001
Bottle A kept in perfect conditions. Matures 20 years later
Bottle B kept in warm temperatures, matures 15 years later.
the 5 years doesn’t sound very much but the effect is to produce a wine that is out of balance, it will have matured way to quickly and will be dried out and raisoned. Where as the other will still have a little fruit and juiciness but also a lot of complexity, tobacco, chocolate cigar box etc. Enjoy them when you open them.
Tip. When buying wine for ageing, always buy 3 of the same vintage.. when you think it’s ready keep notes of them. Try them 1 year apart of each other and compare notes. Cheers

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