How does wine taste better with age?

Question

I had a brand new botlle and a 10 year old one and they tasted the same. How does it taste better?

Answer 1

It's not the wine, it's how old you are, the older you are, the better it tastes!

Answer 2

Were they both the same vinyard. Don't think so..

What year is your brand new bottle?  2008

Very few '07's have been released.  and '08 have yet to be harvested.

There are many factors in determening what a wine taste like.

If I assume that your new bottle is let's say an '05 of any given red wine

and the other is a '98 (10 yrs) of the same varietal and same vineyard, I will then assume that the varietal is not one that ages well.(some do, some don't). or that maybe "98 was not a good year for that wine and '05 was, or that the '98 was not kept properly or that you have not yet developed an appreciation for good wine.

Answer 3

yes it does its because some wines get fermented and the sweetness comes out of the wine or some are aged in oak barrels which absorbs some of the oak flavor ... but it dosn't follow that  the older the wine the better some will have better taste after a few years but some will have more stronger taste after a couple of more years..... and yet in the end its you who will be able to decide which is the best .. people will have different variations as to likes and dislikes of certain wines

Answer 4

Good question.  In theory, as wines age, the wines evolve.  Evolution is suppose to be a good thing.  Generally speaking, the tannins in reds acts as a preservative, likewise acids in whites.  I use reds to illustrate intent and results.  Winemakers that would like to create age worthy reds will use a number of techniques to ensure that the wine is very tannic.  Drink that bottle young and its going to turn the back of your throat into a black hole that will suck all moisture from your mouth.  Think drinking very strong tea.  As that wine ages, it will shed tannins.  With less tannins, the wine doesn't evolve as much as the drinker can sense/taste the wine uninhibited by the tannins (in theory, as I understand it).  Back in 2000, I was privilege to have a 72 Cote de Beaune and all I remember was how silky smooth the wine was.  It caressed my throat as it went down.  It was s**y (yeah, I'm a wine nerd).   But not all wines are made to age.  Most wines are meant to be drunk pretty young.  I'm guessing even Bordeaux wines are being vinted that way.  To your specific questions.  If the wines were Californian and from a larger winery, they put a premium on consistency.  Probably a 2000 Turning Leaf will taste about the same as a 2007 Turning Leaf.  And does a proper aged bottle of wine taste better than a young wine.  It'll taste different, for me better, maybe for you not.  Hope this helps.