Does Zinfandel get better with age? That’s one of the great debates in California wine. Some do but most don’t, in my experience. Bold and youthful fruit are what Zins are all about. In some vintages, like the tightly wound 2005s, it pays to give them a year or so to unfurl. A handful of vineyards have enough muscle to back ageworthy Zins—“Old Hill” in Sonoma Valley comes to mind—and certain winemakers like to build them that way. Carol Shelton is one.
Her Wild Thing 2006 is a great case in point. As the name suggests, the wine can be untamed when first released, and the 2006 was no exception. It was a briary monster with considerable tannins, but it showed bold fruit and good structure—a Shelton hallmark. I revisited the 2006 recently, and it was coming into its own, smoothing out and starting to reveal finesse and a more supple texture. I rated it 91 points, non-blind. You can still find it around if you look hard, and it sells for a reasonable $28.
WineSpectator.com members: Read the original blind-tasting review for Carol Shelton Zinfandel Mendocino County Wild Thing Old Vine Cox Vineyard 2006 (90, $28).
• Plus, get our quick list of Top Values among California Zinfandel.
Thomas Cannon
Fairfax, VA, USA — July 16, 2010 3:04pm ETWith so many Zinfandels on the market, how do you go about choosing which winery offerings to taste? If a winery offers 10 different bottlings of zins, do you taste them all or do you select a few as a sampling? As a regular Zin drinker, I'd like to see more ratings from WS, but understand it may not be completely possible.
Thanks.
Tim Fish
Santa Rosa, CA — July 16, 2010 4:23pm ETThat's a tough one. I try to taste as many Zins as possible, which was nearly 500 last year. If a winery has a good track record and makes numerous Zins - ie Biale, Seghesio, Four Vines - I try to taste them all. If the winery is new or has a mixed record, I generally taste a selection, and if those are encouraging I might then taste more.
I hope that answers your question. Thanks for the note and for reading.
Thomas Cannon
Fairfax, VA, USA — July 17, 2010 6:52am ETScott Oneil
Denver, CO — July 17, 2010 2:59pm ETTim Fish
Santa Rosa, CA — July 17, 2010 4:40pm ETScott Oneil
Denver, CO — July 19, 2010 7:16pm ETMatthew Regan
Napa, CA — July 21, 2010 12:51am ETA great example of age worthy Zinfandel is the Chateau Potelle V.G.S.
They really age amazingly, still drinking some of the early 1990's.
Chateau Potelle is hosting a VGS Retrospective Tasting in SF at the St.Francis Yacht club on Sat Sept 4th with 10 of these old vintages...you should come!
Tim Fish
Santa Rosa, CA — July 21, 2010 10:56am ET