Recently I've picked up a few bottles of aged wines at auction, around 2001-2003. I have never had a wine this aged before, and have been under a novice assumption that older = better, however the experiences have left me wanting more.

I feel like the flavours have... disappeared? They all have a similar note that I don't know how to describe - they taste old, like an old port - but that's basically all I can taste? At least compared to younger wines which are fruitier, spicier, and seem (to me) more enjoyable.

Have I set my expectations too high, or have I misunderstood what an aged wine should taste like? I am wondering what I should be expecting of an aged wine vs something younger.

2003 Tenuta Casalino Maroniano 2001 Castello Di Lignano Lhennius 2001 Zonin Primitivo