[question] Question submitted by Terry Batistich Recently I’ve had 2 bottles of the Cullen’s Cab Merlot 1996 – both undrinkable. Very distressing as it’s their premium wine. Nose and palate were distinctively ” burnt rubber”. Any suggestions? [/question] [answer] Terry, all I can think of here are issues that would relate to cellaring conditions. It doesn’t sound like a cork-related problem, although I can’t be sure, not having tasted the same bottles of the wine. Last time I tasted it, nearly four years ago, it had a long time ahead of it. Vanya Cullen has read this mention, and has said that Cullen are happy to replace corked bottles of back vintage wines with scewcapped bottles of the current release. This is a very admirable approach indeed. [/answer]
