Some years back I won a cased bottle of Mavrodaphne 1944 vintage. How good is it and what is it worth today?

Wow! I sincerely hope and root for you to reach your 60th! What the bottle claims is true, in fact 1944 is the same year that german troops withdrew from Germany. The mavrodaphne is a kind of red grape that comes from the region of the Peloponissos and the Gulf of Corinth and the Gulf of Patras, the same region that endured the battle of Lepanto and is very aromatic and sweet. Very very nice and I wish you were my friend to celebrate with you!! Dont ask what its worth because you cant even find one anywhere else but your cellar, just enjoy it like it should be done.

Mavrodaphne is easily available and inexpensive -- the current vintages I mean -- so why not try a recent bottle first.

How much is it worth? I would say no more than 75 GBP/ 150 USD for a 750ml bottle

That was the valuation at an auction in November, and a UK restaurant has half bottles on its wine list at 75 GBP ($150). The restaurant owner says "this has raisins and plums in abundance. I shared one with Jonathan Meades who loved it! " (Meades is a food critic for the Times and other newspapers)

Raisins means it is drying out. Try the young wine first and you'll better be able to appreciate how it has aged

I understand a barrel of this 1944 wine was found in1975,

wow , I wish you had a link to a picture , maybe one with you standing beside the case holding a bottle , so we could all see your good fortune ;)