Tried these out over the last few days:
1. Ravenswood Zin CookeVnyd/SonomaVlly (14.6%; Picked: Sept 22; Bttld: May 27'92; 700 cs; TA: 0.68) 1990: Dark color w/ some bricking; dusty/OldVines strong blackberry/Zin/earthy some cedary/pencilly/old Zin/smokey fairly complex nose; soft rather rich/lush strong blackberry/Zin some cedary/pencilly/oak some dusty/OV slight minty/menthol/earthy flavor w/ light/smooth tannins; rather long soft/lush/rich fairly strong blackberry/Zin/spicy dusty/OV/earthy some cedary/smokey/pencilly fairly complex finish; still some lush Zin fruit there and good cedary/pencilly complexity but starting its downhill slide; drink up.
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2. Ravenswood Zin OldHillVnyd/SonomaVlly (Picked: Sept 9; Bttld: June 6'92; Vines: 99 yrs old; 550 cs; TA: 0.65; 14.9%: Dark color w/ some bricking; strong blackberry/Zin/spicy/briary rather dusty/OV quite fragrant/cedary/ppencilly/old Zin light licorice/chocolaty/RCCola rather complex lovely nose; slightly tart slight tannic/astringent/drying out fairly smooth/textured strong dusty/OV light blackberry/Zin/briary/quite spicy slight RCCola complex flavor; very long some blackberry/Zin/very spicy/briary bit RCCola/pungent some pencilly/cedary/old Zin smooth/elegant finish w/ slight astringent/dried out tannins; a really lovely/complex nose and smooth on the palate but starting to dry out & fade a bit; fully mature & headed downhill.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Both of these Zins were fully mature and a bit beyond and had some nice/low-key briary Zin fruit still there. But they're both starting their downhill slide & should be drunk up post-haste. Slightly preferred the OldHill for its greater complexity.
Tom