2007 York Creek Zinfandel

Wild blueberry and plum, violets, fennel, dusty earth nose; abundant mountain fruit on the palate, Medium-full chalky tannins, distinctive mineral, caramel/toasty oak finish.

Flowering and set were delayed by cool spring weather at this Spring Mountain vineyard above Napa Valley. For the second year in a row, the vines produced a full crop, which slowed ripening, and pushed harvest into October. We picked the older vines on Race Track block first, and finished with Kite Hill on October 19, just before the first rains. As usual, we fermented each of the seven parcels separately, on their natural yeasts. Slow, steady fermentations finished in eleven days, on average. Re-tasting after assemblage, we decided to include a significant amount of York Creek petite sirah for greater complexity and firmer structure. The wine was then racked to american oak barrels for twelve months of aging. This York Creek, though rich and structured, is one of the most supple and elegant wines we have made from the vineyard. Enjoyable now, it will continue to develop over the next six to eight years. JO (8/08)

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 it in every vintage since.

Rainfall: Thirty-five inches (below normal)

Bloom: Mid-May

Weather: A dry spring and a warm, dry summer with no
sustained heat spells.

Harvest Dates: 3 October – 19 October

Grapes: Average Brix 25.8

Fermentation: No inoculation; natural primary and secondary. (32% floating cap) Pressed at nine days.

Aging: 100% air-dried american oak barrels (25% new, 40% one to two years old and 35% three to four years old).

Time in Barrel: Twelve months

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (November-December 2009): “Inky ruby. High-pitched dark berry and cherry aromas show a slightly volatile quality. Deep, sappy blackberry and cherry-vanilla flavors display no rough edges and are complemented by a note of candied flowers. Rich and fleshy wine with strong finishing sweetness and a zesty kick of cracked pepper. This is extremely young but has very good material; I’d re-visit it after it’s had a bit more bottle age.” -Josh Raynolds (90+ points)

Average Rating: 89.0

No. of Tasting Notes: 105

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