Zin Maturation

[MontereyRick]

I've learned recently that Zins in general, due to the makeup of the fruit, don't store as long as Cabs.

When do decent quality Zins mature. For example, I have a case of both the 99 and 2000 A. Rafanelli Zins in my cellar. When would they be at their peak and what is the general rule with regard to cellaring Zins?

Thanks in advance.

[Innkeeper]

Zins are usually approachable within a couple of years of vintage, meaning usually on release. They tend to improve over no more that four or five years. Of course, there are exceptions.

[Kcwhippet]

Had one of those exceptions yesterday evening, by coincidence. A friend from Saratoga, CA came out to frigid New England for a business meeting, so I brought up a 1991 Teldeschi Dry Creek Valley Zin. It still had some nice fruit but was on the verge, so I guess we'll do the last bottle this weekend.

[winoweenie]

Hi Monty and here's my experience with aging most Zins. I've had some incredible wines that got lost in my cellar and were revelations when opened. The whole problem, without exception the exhuberence of fruit that is so dominate in Zins in general goes with aging and what you basically have is a nice drinking Claret. The trade-off is, in my opinion, definately in favor of drinking most zins by the 5th or 6th year of vintage. WW