Top 25
I luv the Chinon

Hi Gary, an thanks for another great Episode. In Germany the term “alte Reben” (“old vines”) is often a marketing play because it’s really undefinded (how old is old??) and not part of wine-laws. So this is a tricky thing for the customer…

Greetz from Germany
Micha

And yes, as the others say, great format for the episode. I’m definitely excited to try some veille vines wines next to their younger counterparts now. 🙂

And yes, as the others say, great format for the episode. I’m definitely excited to try some veille vines wines next to their younger counterparts now. 🙂

Snuka – I had to come back for some Chinon! Love it! QOTD – I’m rusty at it, so I don’t know.

Nice show, love Franc, but not too sure of Chinon as I fear too much vegie.

QOTD: Has to be 2006 Sineann Zinfandel Old Vines from Columbia Valley Washington, 80 year old vines in the NW.

Nice format GeeVee … you have turned me on to Chinon in other episodes and I now am a convert.

Great show concept. Really interesting comparison. I particularly like the two-armed pour that was virtually mirror perfect. Hey, Mr. Bartender.

Often a sucker for ‘old vines’ on the label, but they rarely come through for me

Ah, Gareee, sacre bleu, vous assassin!! Air-OHH, again, would be the name.

I loves me my Cab Francs, be they intense fruit, oak, and spice brawlers from the new world, OR earthier and equally spicy, but subtler French wines. Italians can pull it off too, SOMETIMES.

Qotd – off the top of my head, 1978 Vega Sicilia Unico. 100 year old Tempranillo. I know- the oak is TOO over the top massive, but they pull it off, resulting in a truly age worthy treasure, to be enjoyed in judiciously small amounts, with say, a beautiful fire roasted piece of meat, or fowl, or game.It’s too intense to call a quaffable favorite, but to taste it is really an unforgettable priveledge.

I like To-Kalon Sauv. Blanc. I don’t know if it is still, but was the oldest SB vines in Napa.

And also, old vine doesn’t work for many varietals (you touch on where it does work, but didn’t mention how much the terminology is grossly exploited and abused, especially in Calif. by the huge doofus industrial producers (esp. W/ Zin.) Yuck.

Cont.

Even the greatest classified growths of Bordeaux, average vine age of Cab. Sauv. (Cab Franc’s genetically frail, inferior ‘child’) is 35-40 years, then they get ripped out. Most of the great Cab. estates in Calif. keep a Cab vine in production less than sixty years. They just don’t produce, and become suceptible to disease, etc… not unlike some of our favorite people.

I have done this exact tasting but at different times not head to head. I preferred the old vines for the vegies and my wife preferred the regular bottling. Most of the old vine differences I have had have been Zindfandel and the Rosenblum Old vines from I believe the Paso Robles vineyard has always been my favorite.

what’s a lurker? 😛

QOTD: Man its horrible being new to wine sometimes.. Just don’t have an answer to this one..

I would LOVE LOVE to see a Niagara Ice wine show. I just bought more online, but really have to take a trip up there soon. The Liquid gold is so worth it!!

I had a 2005 Scott Harvey Zinfandel Old Vine Reserve about a year ago I liked quite a bit.

qod…Listed as vieilles vignes…………Las Rocas V.V.

QOTD: Monteviejo Lindaflor Malbec 2003! I had tried the two Malbecs from Monteviejo at the Grand Tasting, and the person who was pouring it first had us taste the winery’s regular Malbec. (It might’ve been the Festivo, but can’t remember), and THEN we tried the Lindaflor (which is supposed to be 90yr old vines.) I was blown away. It was like drinking dark fruit ink (!). Amazing stuff.

QOTD: Las Rocas Vielles Vignes (Old Vines) very nice

qotd – I’m not really sure. I think the term ‘old’ is very subjective. Is 30 years old? How about 50-80? In this type of instance, there is a distinct and measurable difference. If producers have such a disparity in vine age, or really old vines – than I have no problem. Otherwise, this could just be more of a marketing play…

Chateu Los Boldos, Vielles Vignes Merlot, 83 yrs old. Cachapoal Valley, Chile.

Peace!

Enjoyable show – just learning about wines and understanding that we can and will have different tastes, BUT trying different wines will help develop a better experience…. ….part time lurker….

hey … GV was just lurking in the forums.

Segasio Zin Old Vine, I am a little bit mad that you called it out before I could comment on it. Not cool Gary. Clearly you think this is an average play so what should I go for? Maybe you should do a old vine Zin show, that would be cool.
Andy

I love Loire reds, and particularly Cab-Franc-based ones like chinons and bourgueils (BTW Gary, you’ve got to eventually taste some red Sancerres, those Pinot noirs usually offer great value). In fact, I love Cab-Franc-based wines – no wonder I love pomerols and saint-émilions so much. Lately I’ve been tasting more and more California cab-francs or bordeaux-right-bank-inspired wines (fell in love with the wines from Blackbird, but they aren’t cheap!).

QOTD: wow. Latest “old vines” that knocked my socks off was a Turley Old Vine Zinfandel I had for Thanksgiving. I’d like to see that designation legislated though.

Very interesting episode- I am a big fan of Chinon and Cabernet Franc in general. There are some Cab Francs from California (especially the Santa Ynez Valley region) that are similarly vegetal and well worth tasting on the show.
Best old vines wine I’ve had that I can remember was the Las Rocas (Garnacha) 2005, but I haven’t had many.