The Myth Of Old Vines And Quality (over 50 years old Vines )

[John_Morris]

@Larry P

It could also be that for Cab, or Pinot, or Syrah, vine age doesn’t matter so much. La Turque was (originally) made from young vines with tightly controlled vigor, and I don’t think anyone thinks it the lesser of the La-La’s.

In the Rhone and Burgundy, old vines are very much appreciated, notwithstanding the occasional counterexamples (like the '52 DRC).

[D.Callahan]

My wife and I attended a Shafer tasting, around 2006 I think, where the winemaker came out briefly to talk to the tour. I distinctly remember him saying that they replanted Cabernet vines (Hillside Select too) when production started dropping, usually around the 10 year mark. I was amazed at the time as I saw this practice as rather costly but I assumed he knew what he was talking about since Shafer is a highly admired maker of outstanding Cabernet. I believe his viewpoint adhered to the concept of viewing a wine grower primarily as a farmer. Whether Cabernet vines inherently do not benefit from older vines or just production numbers are the rule I have no idea.

[M_Dildine]

Cab vines typically show less longevity than Zinfandel (although you can find some very old Cab vines at places like Monte Bello and MacDonald).

Old vines are progressively more expensive to farm, due to declining yields and disease.