2004 Stone Ranch Zinfandel

The vines on these low, rocky hills at the Alexander Valley’s western edge ripened a full month earlier than in 2002, when we made our first Stone Ranch. The microclimate, relatively cool for this appellation, matured the fruit at moderate sugar levels. On day seven of the natural-yeast fermentation, tannins began to eclipse the intense fruit. We drained the juice off the skins, and pressed while the wine was still fermenting to dryness. Once the natural malolactic was complete, we added carignane from an adjacent parcel on the vineyard and a small amount of petite sirah to further moderate tannins. This full, spicy zinfandel, defined by its firm structure, will be enjoyable when released, and develop fully over the next five to six years.

Since 1962, Ridge has championed single-vineyard winemaking, searching California for those rare sites where climate, soil, and varietal are ideally matched. Our aim is to guide the natural process; using traditional methods, we strive to produce exceptional wines from distinctive fruit.

Average Rating: 87.8

No. of Tasting Notes: 27

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