2008 Three Valleys

2009 Three valleys

Varietal Information

bottled September and December 2010
70% zinfandel, 15% carignane, 10% petite sirah, 3% grenache, 2% mataro
14.1% alcohol by volume

History

The history of the Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys began with the release of the 2001. The wine contains grapes from a number of Sonoma vineyards - this year, seven. We take great care in selecting the fruit, which is hand-harvested, then crushed and fermented at both Monte Bello and Lytton Springs. Unlike our single-vineyard wines, which reflect the distinctive character of each site, Three Valleys represents the blending of vineyards - winemaking - at it's finest. Zinfandel determines the wine's varietal character; old-vine carignane contributes bright fruit and acidity; petite sirah spice, depth of color, and firm tannins; grenache brings briary fruit and lively tannins.

Vintage

Harvest Dates: 8 September - 13 October

Grapes: Average brix 24.4 degrees

Fermentation: No inoculation; natural primary and secondary. Grapes fully crushed and fermented in small stainless steel tanks; fermenting juice circulated over the cap twice daily for extraction of color, tannin, and flavor. Full, natural malolactic to soften acidity. Pressed at eight days on average.

Barrels: 100% air-dried american oak barrels (38% new and one year old, 20% two years old, and 42% three to six years old).

Aging: Ten months in barrel

Growing Season

Rainfall: 34 inches (below average)

Bloom: Late May

Weather: A dry winter saved by spring rains and a mild summer.

Tasting Notes and Reviews


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