Correct procedure with vericals.

[Von Ridler]

Was at a wine tasting on the weekend and as part of the tasting there was a vertical of six vintages of Bethany riesling covering 1995 to 2000.
What is the correct procedure with tasting verticals, youngest to oldest?
I was told oldest to youngest, so started with the 1995 which had everything you would expect in aged riesling characters , so much so that it had a nullifying effect on the next vintage in line. After tasting the 2000 I went back to the 1996 with better results.




Regards,
Ron.

[GraemeG]

For a five year vertical, maximum age 9 years, I would unhesitatingly taste youngest to oldest - largely for the reason you mention. I think the only rationale for the reverse order is where there may be a very long span of wines - if you're tasting 30 vintages of a big red your palate (even assuming you're spitting) may be a bit worn by the 25th wine, and not suitably attuned to the subtleties you'd expect to find in such aged wines. If you not spitting, well, it's even more important!

But for short verticals, and mostly recent vintages, do youngest to oldest.

cheers,
Graeme

[Guest]

In my view it depends on the variety/style, age, and if you want to get technical - vintage variations.

But generally speaking, for Riesling I would assume young to old, and for big cabernet or shiraz I would go the other way. You probably should think about where the power will be and put those last.

For Riesling the complexity and depth of flavour should be in the older wines. I'd suggest trying the younger first so the aromatics, subtleties and freshness shine through. For big reds the power is in youth and will possibly overshadow the older, elegant wines - so the older wines should go first.

My 2c, cheers, brad

[Von Ridler]

Thanks for your replies, I agree with youngest to oldest with riesling.
Interesting concept by Bethany in selling a six pack as a vertical, all screw caps. Do you know of any other winery that sells a vertical?




Regards,
Ron.