originally posted by MLipton:
My experience is that older wines are almost always reductive if the cork is sound. Decantation not only removes sediment but also gives those wines needed aeration.
Mark Lipton
I concur on all points. I opened a 2009 Clos Fantine Cuvee Courtiol last night that was so reductive on opening I almost dumped it. There was considerable sediment to the point where a glass poured from the half filled bottle looked like the dregs from the bottom. It took about two hours for the wine to shine and shine it did though still a beast.