1996 Pagani Alicante

Despite the warm year, a big crop and late pruning (necessary to avoid the frosts) delayed ripening until the last days of October. We include Pagani zinfandel in the wine each year, not only for finesse and complexity, but to stabilize the incredible amount of red color for which alicante is known. Aged in thirty percent new, air-dried american barrels and seventy percent five-year-old barrels, the size and richness of the wine have integrated beautifully with the oak. Enjoyable soon after release, this unusual wine will be at its best over the next four or five years. PD (1/98)

Since 1962, Ridge has championed single-vineyard winemaking, exploring California in search of great vineyards where climate, soil, and varietal are ideally matched. Fine wine, when made traditionally, is the result of a natural process. Using traditional methods and minimal handling, we strive to produce the highest quality wines from superior and distinctive fruit. We are proud that our three decades are an integral part of California’s winemaking history.

Average Rating: 87.7

No. of Tasting Notes: 3

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