question on aged zins

Generally speaking, 10 years or so seems to be the maximum age for Zinfandel. It is meant to be drank younger, when it shows more of the rich, vibrant fruit. Anything over 10 years, in my opinion, is a waste of potentially good wine.

Gary

ok, thanks for the tip- probably explains the results.

As with all generalizations, there are exceptions. Some Zins fall apart much sooner than ten years, losing their fruit along the way and leaving behind red liquid of little interest. Some of them, however, are capable of decades of improvement. It just all depends, and the only way to tell for sure is by periodic tasting.

Tom S

I had a real disappointment with a Zin this weekend. I drank a 1997 St Frances Old Vine Zin that was close to the second best Zin of the that great year. It had matured into a jammy sweet tasting wine that could have been mistaken for some of the overly sweet Shiraz's from Rosemont.

On another note, I recently reached in my Zin bin and I thought that I had a Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zin. When I started drinking it, I noticed that it was very different from the last such bottle that I had. I checked the year to see what was happening. Then I noticed that it said South East Australia. It was a Shiraz. The Ravenswood insignia that I am so familiar with had changed to kangaroos instead of ravens. Someone brought this bottle to my house in the past and I thanked them for the Zin never realizing that I had Shiraz. I thought it was a very good quaff that I would put down in the $10 range but it did not have the sweetness that a lot of cheap Shiraz's exhibit now days.

I love the St. Francis Old Vines Zin too. Just had a glass Friday night with a buffalo burger. But when you mention "jammy and sweet", I wonder if you have ever tried Norman the Monster Zin? It was first described to me as being like "jam on the tongue", and it is.

-Cherie

I like them because they are easy to identify blind - that 2 x 4 up the nose is unmistakable.......