WineLovers Discussion Group

2004 Cantina Terlan Alto Adige DOC Lagrein Riserva “Porphyr”
From vines that are close to 100 years old, as of the 2010 vintage. Really dark purple color. Herbal/stony/dark berry/coffee ground nose. Full-bodied, smooth, intense, well balanced; tannins are well integrated. Full of blackberries, bittersweet chocolate, roasted game, espresso, minerals, and spices. Even with the evident barrique treatment, you don’t lose the sense of place or the varietal character of Lagrein. Probably at its peak now, but should hold for another 3+ years or so; I’d drink it up by the end of the decade, though.

Andrew, I think you are about right on the aging curve of lagreins. In some ways, it's a little like petite sirah in that it never seems to shut down but also having the sense that it'll never become anything 'better'. A decade feels long enough to age these, imo.