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Wine Spectator Online    Wine Spectator Forums  Hop To Forum Categories  Learn Wine    Too Young, or too late?
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Which is worse? Opening a bottle a little too soon, or a little too late? If I'm not sure when a wine will peak, should open it now, or wait a while?

This is a general question, but it isn't purely academic; I'm asking about a particular Sonoma Pinot, as well.


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Up to the age of forty eating is beneficial. After forty, wine.
The Talmud, 200BC
 
Posts: 369 | Location: NJ | Registered: Nov 22, 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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Better to drink it early then late. You can always decant and give it some air if it is still young. An over the hill wine is not going to get better no matter what you do.


"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." Gerald Ford
 
Posts: 1437 | Location: Vermont | Registered: Sep 10, 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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OK, that makes sense. As an offshoot question, how do you determine the peak year of a wine>? Is it primarily the vintage, varietal and region, or does it widely vary from wine to wine?


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Up to the age of forty eating is beneficial. After forty, wine.
The Talmud, 200BC
 
Posts: 369 | Location: NJ | Registered: Nov 22, 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by VT2IT:
Better to drink it early then late. You can always decant and give it some air if it is still young. An over the hill wine is not going to get better no matter what you do.
This is true with the caveat that many here open wine that is clearly not ready. Some of them do it over and over and over.

My theory is that some just like to see their name at the top of the tasting note thread. It's their misguided little claim to fame. Cool


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"One may dislike carrots, spinach, beetroot, or the skin on hot milk. But not wine. It is like hating the air that one breathes, since each is equally indispensable."

Marcel Ayme`
 
Posts: 6005 | Location: The Left Coast | Registered: Dec 01, 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by CaliCab:
OK, that makes sense. As an offshoot question, how do you determine the peak year of a wine>? Is it primarily the vintage, varietal and region, or does it widely vary from wine to wine?
Yes.


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"One may dislike carrots, spinach, beetroot, or the skin on hot milk. But not wine. It is like hating the air that one breathes, since each is equally indispensable."

Marcel Ayme`
 
Posts: 6005 | Location: The Left Coast | Registered: Dec 01, 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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quote:
My theory is that some just like to see their name at the top of the tasting note thread. It's their misguided little claim to fame.


Ah. Now I understand the comment in your profile.


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Up to the age of forty eating is beneficial. After forty, wine.
The Talmud, 200BC
 
Posts: 369 | Location: NJ | Registered: Nov 22, 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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quote:
OK, that makes sense. As an offshoot question, how do you determine the peak year of a wine>? Is it primarily the vintage, varietal and region, or does it widely vary from wine to wine?


Yes, all of the variables apply. Also, any estimate given as to peak year can vary over time. An educated guess (from a WS writer or RP) might be best after 2010, or best between 2011 and 2025. But the wine could be better earlier, or be going south much sooner than expected. In's interesting to look at first tasting notes for older wines, then see some of the followups after 10 or 15 years. It's common to see a lot of variance from the original estimate.
 
Posts: 7 | Location: St. Louis. USA | Registered: Aug 22, 2004Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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