2002 Stone Ranch Zinfandel

To ensure full flavor in this first Stone Ranch vintage, we delayed harvest until the last days of September. The vineyard lies on the low hills along the western edge of Alexander Valley; lines of large round river rocks, tilled over years from the gravelly soils, mark the boundaries of the property. Extraction of color and tannin was initially slow, so we extended maceration to two weeks, pumping over daily. After fermenting on its natural yeasts and completing a natural malolactic, the wine was racked to air-dried american oak barrels, of which only a small percentage were new. Serious structure and straightforward cherry fruit make this zinfandel a good choice to accompany rich food. It will soften with a year or two of bottle age, and develop completely over the next five years.

The Advance Tasting Program is a logical extension of Ridge’s long-standing dedication to single-vineyard winemaking. Our interest in distinctive sites, regardless of size, has led us to produce some wines in quantities ranging from five to fifty-five barrels. Shipments might include a syrah, a grenache, an old-vine carignane, and several zinfandel field blends; they are available only through the winery.

Average Rating: 89.8

No. of Tasting Notes: 14

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