2008 East Bench

Varietal Information

bottled January 2010
100% zinfandel
14.9% alcohol by volume

History

This is our third vintage from vines on the benchland that separates Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. The soils are identical across the bench as are the climatic conditions giving the wines the chance to demonstrate consistent character as they mature. The original vineyards were abandoned around 1920, but the blocks have been gradually replanted over the last thirty years. This wine is from vines replanted in 2000, using budwood from our own old-vine vineyards. The East Bench zinfandel is classic Dry Creek - rich and structured with brambly dark fruit and chalky yet balanced tannins.

Vintage

Harvest Dates: 29 August - 6 September
Grapes: Average Brix 27.5 degrees
Fermentation: No inoculation; natural primary and secondary. Pressed at ten days.
Aging: 100% air-dried american oak barrels (25% new, 50% one to three, 25% four to five years old)
Time in Barrel: Twelve months

Growing Season

Rainfall: Thirty inches (below average)
Bloom: Early May
Weather: Dry spring with a typically warm, dry summer, and no sustained heat spells.

Winemaker Tasting Notes

Blackberry/pepper/vanilla nose. Big, dark zinfandel with flavors of briary fruit, minerals, cocoa. Well-incorporated tannins, ample acidity, long finish. EB (3/10)

• 2008 ZINFANDEL EAST BENCH ZINFANDEL New Releases, Nicholas Ponomareff , California Grapevine 04-2010 , Tasting
  2008 Ridge, "East Bench," Dry Creek Valley ($26) Medium-dark ruby; attractive, herbal, briary, plummy, red berry fruit aroma with hints of rhubarb and stewed tomatoes; ...(more)
• 2008 ZINFANDEL EAST BENCH 2008 Ridge Zinfandel East Bench, Robert Parker , Wine Advocate 02-2010 , Tasting
  Rating: (90-92)
  
  The more powerful 2008 Zinfandel East Bench (100% Zinfandel; nearly 15% alcohol) boasts a dark plum/ruby color in addition to a big, sweet bouquet o...(more)
• 2007 ZINFANDEL EAST BENCH 2007 Ridge Zinfandel East Bench, Robert Parker , Wine Advocate 02-2010 , Tasting
  Rating: 90+
  
  This was my first look at a new offering from Ridge, the 2007 Zinfandel East Bench. From a young Dry Creek Valley vineyard, it is a blend of 92% Zinfand...(more)
• 2007 ZINFANDEL EAST BENCH Five-Star California Zinfandels , Quarterly Review Of Wines 06-2009 , Tasting
  2007 RIDGE ZINFANDEL "EAST BENCH" (CALIFORNIA: DRY CREEK VALLEY). 92% Zinfandel and 8% Petite Sirah. Sweet, nutty, spicy, ripe, elegant, well-focused, wild-berry flavor...(more)
• 2007 ZINFANDEL EAST BENCH ZINFANDEL - More New Releases, Nicholas Ponomareff , California Grapevine 06-2009 , Tasting
  2007 Ridge, "East Bench," Dry Creek Valley ($30) Medium-
  dark purplish ruby; attractive, earthy, briary, cherry
  and blueberry fruit aroma with notes of licorice, dill, and
  ...(more)
• 2007 ZINFANDEL EAST BENCH Zinfandel, Charles E. Olken , Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine 05-2009 , Tasting
  RIDGE VINEYARDS Zinfandel East Bench Dry Creek Valley 2007
  
  SCORE: 92
  
  8% Petite Sirah. Here is marvelous proof that high ripeness and fine balance need n...(more)
• 2006 ZINFANDEL EAST BENCH ZINFANDEL - More New Releases, Nicholas Ponomareff , California Grapevine 08-2008 , Tasting
  2006 Ridge, "East Bench," Dry Creek Valley – Medium to medium-dark ruby; attractive, briary, cedary, cherry and blackberry fruit aroma; full body; forward, rich, briary...(more)
• 2006 ZINFANDEL EAST BENCH Zinfandel, Charles E. Olken , Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine 05-2008 , Tasting
  2006 RIDGE VINEYARDS Zinfandel East Bench Dry Creek Valley
  
  SCORE: 87 *
  
  Sporting the heretofore unseen "East Bench" designation, this new offering from Ri...(more)