2001 Three Valleys

Opulent aromas of black raspberry, strawberry/plum accents. Vanilla bean, cinnamon. Floral notes. Ripe blackberry in the mouth. Medium to full body; excellent viscosity and balance. Fruit-masked tannins. Very accessible.

Three Valleys is a Ridge proprietary name referring to Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and Russian River Valley, which provide fruit for this wine. A six-vineyard blend, it includes grapes from vines planted in recent years at our two principal Sonoma vineyards — fruit that will go into site-specific wines as the vines mature. The grapes are hand harvested; throughout vinification they receive the same care and attention accorded those site-specific bottlings. Forty percent aged in one- and two-year old air-dried american oak barrels, the balance in well-tempered three- to six-year old oak. Zinfandel flavors are the most apparent, complemented by the fruit, spice, and structure of four varieties frequently interplanted in 19th-century zinfandel vineyards. Enjoyable now, this lovely wine will develop fully over the next four to five years. (PD 1/03)

The history of Ridge’s Sonoma County Three Valleys begins with this first release. The wine contains fruit from a number of Sonoma vineyards this year, six. We take great care in selecting the fruit, which is hand-harvested, then crushed and fermented at 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 its finest. Zinfandel fruit determines the wine’s varietal character; old-vine carignane contributes its own bright fruit and acidity; petite sirah adds peppery spice, depth of color, and firm tannins. Mataro imparts a round, soft texture – grenache, a lively berry quality and still further complexity.

Rainfall: Most in mid-winter, little in spring, water stress by August. (less than normal)
Bloom: May (normal)
Weather: Warm spring, summer, fall.

Sunset (March 2004): A winning blend of Carignane, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Zinfandel, with bright, fresh blueberry and blackberry flavors and a rustic edge of tannin. Very satisfying with grilled meats. -Karen MacNeil-Fife

Wine Spectator (12/24/03): Smart Buys Holiday Compendium includes the 2001 Sonoma County Three Valleys.

Wine Spectator (12/03): The 2001 Sonoma County Three Valleys (along with the 2001 Zinfandel Paso Robles) is one of Wine Spectator’s “Eight Spicy California Reds for $25 or Less” Smart Buys (12/2003).

Wine Advocate (10/03): An outstanding value, the 2001 Three Valleys Proprietary Red is a blend of 50% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 15% Carignan and the rest Mourvèdre and Grenache from the Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. It possesses loads of blackberry, cherry and raspberry fruit intermixed with spice and pepper characteristics. Full-bodied, expansive, succulent as well as sexy, this gorgeous, upfront, surprisingly complex red will drink well for 5-6 years. Rated: 90

Average Rating: 89.5

No. of Tasting Notes: 44

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See all food pairing recipes we have created specifically for this wine.