2003 York Creek Zinfandel

Since 1999, this dry-farmed Spring Mountain vineyard has produced a series of opulent, late-picked wines. In this vintage, weather conditions and close attention to varying ripeness within each block have resulted in a zinfandel reminiscent of the seventies and eighties, more in the style of a fine table wine. The eight parcels fermented separately on their natural yeasts, and were pressed at eight days; a natural malolactic finished in four weeks. The firm structure of this classic York Creek required extended barrel aging. Beautifully balanced and approachable now, it will benefit from a year or two in bottle, and develop fully over the next ten years. PD/EB (2/05)

York Creek Vineyard, situated high on Spring Mountain, overlooks St. Helena and the Napa Valley from the west. Ridge came here in 1971 for the old-vine petite sirah. We first harvested York Creek zinfandel in 1975, and have made both wines in every vintage since.

Rainfall: Sixty inches (slightly above normal)
Bloom: May (normal)
Weather: Wet and unseasonably cool during April and May; moderate temperatures through August. Three-day heat wave in mid-September.

Harvest Dates: 20 September – 18 October
Grapes: Average brix 24.5
Fermentation: No inoculation; natural primary and secondary. (32% floating cap.) Pressed at eight days
Barrels: 100% air-dried american oak barrels (15% new, 25% one year, and 2% two and four years old)
Aging: Seventeen months in barrel

Average Rating: 88.3

No. of Tasting Notes: 53

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