Do You Care About Old Vines?

@Vino Me posted:

How much does the age of the vine or vineyard matter to you when deciding on a wine to purchase. I always found something intriguing and romantic about old vines. Knowing that the vines were growing 70, 80 or even 100+ years ago draws me to that wine. Perhaps it is the idea that I am basically drinking the same wine that was being drunk so long ago.

Any thoughts or opinions?

VM

Old vines also produce wines that are supposedly more complex than younger vines so it is something that would attract me to a wine.

A lot of “upper level” wines are labeled as old vines (or “Vielles Vignes” in French).  In fact, both my favorite value Northern Rhone (Faury Saint Joseph VV) and favorite (non-Rayas) overall Southern Rhone (Marcoux CdP VV) are the higher end versions of wines that also exist without that designation.  My favorite wine I’ve had from Etna is actually marked “Prephylloxera” (Terre Nere) and has multiple “lesser” options made with younger vines from the same producer.

However, old vines is chiefly important to me as one of a litany of things that might affect a wine’s quality. It isn’t particularly valuable to me in and of itself.

There are some Zinfandels from California which have that designation but they are not necessarily so fantastic. And, I am guessing that the term “old vines” on a California label may not be defined well, and it could be that the rule is that if you say “old vines” on the label, at least 75% of the grapes must be from wines of a certain age.  
but, Vino Me, I am sure your significant other/spouse appreciates the romantic in you.

ridge is one that has a bunch of old vine zins, but i honestly dont think i'd be able to taste the difference amongst their vineyards.

I'd look for VV only to think that maybe the wine maker might have spent just a little more time with this wine than their regular bottlings.