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I find that a longer decant gets rid of the woodsier initial notes (it’s so bizarre, because that wine only saw little oak influence, but somehow took to it). When I let it breathe for awhile, I really recognize your notes. Thanks!
I didn’t miss a decant on this as my bottle was pretty open from the jump, but I could see how other bottles might benefit. Adam, I don’t necessarily see this as a wine to hold as it’s drinking so well now, but any sense as to how these might age?
I’m not quite sure either, Carlo. I think the woodsier notes will integrate over time, but as you say, the rest of the wine is already open for business. It will be interesting to see how it behaves in a few years.
But I also think this is a bigger Zinfandel question. Isn’t the general consensus amongst the wine nerds that Zin isn’t built for aging? I have to say that the few older ones I’ve had don’t support that notion, but I haven’t had tons of experience with older Zins and especially not leaner older Zins. Be interesting to try an older Sky or something. Last years standout Zin for me was the Precedent Kirschenmann - that was a 2018 magnum, and it was just magical.
I have been told that well-made Zins age very well, but they lose their varietal character and start tasting more like Merlot/Cab blends as they age. Thus the desire to drink them early. I have no experience here, but interested in what others here have to say about that . . .
I don’t have enough experience here either, but feel like I’ve seen enough anecdotal evidence regarding producers such as Ridge, Turley, Joel Peterson and others to say that Zin can be built to age. @TomHill @Rich_Brown anyone else please chime in.
I just had a 23 year old zin that was alive and kicking, still no tertiary notes, and it definitely didn’t taste like a merlot/cab blend. So with my sample size of one, I’d say its entirely possible for Zins to age gracefully.
I’m sure there is a host of Bedrock fans that can chime in. As it goes with most any grape, it’s how the wine is crafted and if the grapes can go the distance. @Adam_Frisch can correct me if I’m wrong, but he makes a short to medium-term product and as he should. How can any brand get on the map if they are designing wines for 10-20 year consumption windows? Heck, you’d need a lot of pedigree to even ask for 5.
Great topic! And yep, I’m absolutley in the camp that some (and i stress some) zins can age incredibly well. They definitely can take on that more ‘claret’-like’ flavor profile (which can be great), but ive also had plenty of old zins that have retained that amazing briary fruit and spice that we all love about the variety. Then again…ive had plenty that were completely shot (it is wine after all).
The tricky part is honing in on the ones that will actually age gracefully. In my experience, I’ve had the best luck focusing on the combo of winery/wine-making style and vineyard (not exactly an earth-shattering approach i realize 
. If you’re looking to maximize your chances of trying a good bottle, you could do a lot worse than an old Ravenswood/Joel Peterson from Monte Rosso, or a Ridge/Paul Draper Geyserville. Of course nothing is guaranteed and ive had not so great bottles of both and amazing experiences with completely random wines (a 1980 Nevada City Cellars zin from the Sierra Foothills was my WOTY in 2019), but I’ve had good luck with these producers/Vineyards more often than not.
@TomHill will for sure have more/better insights than i do…but that’s my $0.02 from here in the cheap seats 
I’d say that’s correct. I’m on the lower end of oak usage, I pick early compared to many of the other Lodi Zin producers etc, all tend to play well for early to medium drinking. I might do a few longer legged version in the coming years, with a bit more oak influence.
Thanks for jumping in Rich.
I don’t need to pull at this thread much further, but I wonder if those producers who made ageworthy zin did so with intent, or if it just worked out that way. Maybe it’s a distinction without a difference in the end…
Anyway, Zins with age is another niche I need to explore!
Scherrer makes his Zins to age, and they do so well.
Scherrer is good. I’m hoping he’ll hit BD this year so I can get a bit more. Really hoping to see Lagier-Meredith, too.
Recently had a 1980 Ridge Geyserville that was really excellent. Also had a 2002 that night that I also really enjoyed and a 2008 that I thought was still a bit young - fruit was similar to the 2002, but while the new oak had fully integrated on the 2002, the 2008 seemed to need a few more years for that to occur.
Totally agree on that 1980 Geezer! Have had it a couple times and it was excellent. Have two still in the cellar actually
Scherrer newsletter just came out and said they would!
We will indeed be there!
I picked up some Scherrer bottles from the early 00s. Excited to try.
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Tegan just posted on his Insta about a 1977 Sutter Home Amador County Zin being perhaps the best Zin he’s ever had. So, it seems - it depends.