Tried this old Zin from the archives last night:
1. LatchamVnyds Zin ElDoradoCnty Special Reserve (13.7%) LatchamVnyds/Somerset/ElDoradoCnty 1991: Dark color w/ slight browning; classic ElD/earthy/mushroomy some vanilla/Am.oak some blackberry/Zin/spicy bit rustic/loamy/dusty slight pencilly/oldZin bit complex interesting nose; soft bit dried out/pencilly/oldZin earthy/mushroomy/ElDorado Zin light blackberry/blueberry/Zin bit complex/rustic flavor w/ light drying tannins; long bit drying/rough tannins that mocks flavo; clearly on the downside but in pretty decen shape for an unknown producer; speaks of old ElD Zin & not at all unpleasant.
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More latchlock from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Frank Latcham, Bay area lawyer, planted his vnyd in 1981 & began selling his grapes shortly afterwards. In 1990, he decided to start his own wnry. The wine was made at nearby Granite Springs Wnry, which he subsequently purchased. His dream has ended & Latcham was recently permanently closed recently unannounced. I believe I discovered this Zin when I was touring some wineries in that area. I assume the vnyds still exist.
When retasted this morning after open all night, it had lost a lot of the old/tired character & seemed much fresher. Is this a testimony for letting old wines breathe?
Tom