2020 Three Valleys

Deep garnet in color with rich raspberry, fig, exotic clove spice, and notes of fresh mint. Layered briary fruit on the palate with cocoa and a slight crushed granite minerality. Supple tannins and a long, lingering finish. MB (2/22)

Winter rains began early in Sonoma County but ended abruptly leading to the first of two drought years. The vines responded with lower yields and smaller berries. Inclusion of five percent alicante adds color and depth. Enjoyable now as a young wine it will develop fully over the next five years.

The history of Ridge Three Valleys began with the release of the 2001. The wine contains grapes sourced primarily from vineyards in Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Russian River Valley. We take great care in selecting the fruit, which is hand-harvested, then crushed and fermented on its native yeast and naturally occurring malolactic bacteria at both Monte Bello and Lytton Springs wineries. 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 determines the wine’s varietal character; old-vine carignane contributes bright fruit and acidity; petite sirah spice, depth of color, and firm tannins.

Rainfall: 21 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Late May
Weather: Rains in March and April helped the vines get through the summer.

Harvest Dates: 7 September – 1 October
Grapes: Average Brix 24.4˚
TA: 5.85 g/L
pH: 3.71
Fermentation: No inoculation; natural primary and secondary fermentation.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (20% new, 20% one year-old, 30% three year-old, and 30% six years-old).
Aging: Eleven months in barrel

Hand-harvested grapes, destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts followed by a full malolactic on the natural-occurring bacteria; tartaric acid; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35ppm at crush, 104 ppm over the course of aging); membrane sterile filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Wine Enthusiast: 93 Points “This focused, firm and tannic wine exudes black pepper and wood-smoke aromas followed by rather tight espresso, blueberry and cacao flavors. Made from 74% Zinfandel and other California heritage-grape varieties, it has the bones of a cool-climate wine and should improve through at least 2028.” -Jim Gordon (September 2022)

OwenBargeen.com: 90 Points “The outstanding 2020 Ridge ‘Three Valleys’ red wine blends 74% Zinfandel with smaller parts Petite Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Carignane. Medium-bodied red fruits collide with smoke and bramble with Mandarin orange zest flavors on the palate. Enjoy over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027.” -Owen Bargreen (June 2022)

Average Rating: 88.9

No. of Tasting Notes: 70

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