Grapelive Daily Pick

By Kerry Winslow

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ridge08.gif2008 Ridge Vineyards (Zinfandel)  Sonoma County “Three Valleys” California.
This Zin cuvee is from 6 vineyard plots from some of Sonoma’s finest Zinfandel areas and has some amounts of Petite Sirah and Mataro (Mourvedre) that add color and complexity to the Zin. Ridge still makes some of the most interesting and elegant wines in California and this little beauty drinks like a fine Claret, but with California ripe fruit and clean winemaking. 2008 is looking like a fine and classy vintage to drink young, and this wine shows tangy sweet grapey flavors with a nice balance of fruit and acid. The mouth is robust and fresh with raspberry, baked cherry, currants, plum and bramble with touches of spice, mineral, pencil lead, chocolate and smoky oak vanilla notes. The first impression is of concord grape juice and after that dies down everything comes together nicely in round layers with subtle and refined tannins. This is a fine Zinfandel wine that is both serious and unserious at the same time, so no need to think too much, just enjoy a good wine and don’t worry about anything, especially the great price! ($22-25 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive

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