91% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah
1997
Sonoma County
14.7%
A long, ideal spring increased yields only moderately on these eight acres of 116-year-old vines. We harvest each parcel separately, choosing the finest for this limited release. The zinfandel and petite sirah were exceptional this year; the carignane, lighter in style and body, was omitted entirely. Fermented on the naturally-occurring yeast and malolactic bacteria, the wine was aged in air-dried american oak barrels. Twenty percent of these were new, the rest five years old. The fine balance and racy, berry-like fruit of this accessible zinfandel will show to best advantage over the next five years. PD (1/99)
Since 1962, Ridge has championed single-vineyard winemaking, searching California for those rare vineyards where climate, soil, and varietal produce distinctive character. With minimal intervention, we guide that process—always attempting to produce exceptional wines.
Average Rating: 87.7
No. of Tasting Notes: 4
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