I have a batch of 2002 Chardonnay that at bottling time was a very pleasant,
slightly oaked wine. I then bottled in Jan 2004. I had a bad experience
with the corks. They were natural corks but in real bad shape. I should
have checked them before purchasing them. They looked like a drunken sailor
whittled them with a dull knife. They had 1/4" grooves along the side. I
can't imagine how they could have passed quality control.

Anyway over 50% leaked. No problem, we drank them in the next few months
and that wine was o.k.
I was checking the remaining bottles last week and noticed that quite a few
of them have some mold on the cork. It appears the corks leaked a small
amount. The wine in these bottles tastes funny. The chardonnay character
is still and it would be a nice wine except that there is a slight moldy
type smell and taste.

Is this a mold taste/smell or is it Brett? I guess there is no way to save
the wine?

thanks

Joe