by Patchen Markell » Sat Apr 16, 2016 2:42 pm
Okay, it's been fun trying all these new-to-us California producers over the last few weeks, but really, we also have to chip away at our preposterous backlog of Ridge ATP bottlings; so last night we opened a Ridge 2011 Napa Valley Zinfandel, Spring Mountain District, York Creek Vineyard. Uncharacteristically for Ridge these days, this comes in at 13.8%, and it's a full 23% Petite Sirah. And it's also the best young Ridge Zin we've had in a while. The house style is immediately recognizable, mainly, I think, in the texture of the wine and the wood treatment; but there's also an unusual dynamism in the interplay between the very fresh, brambly red-fruit Zinfandel and the deeper Petite notes that fill out the back end. Perfectly balanced, vibrant, and even downright exciting, like listening as a couple of musicians who haven't played together before fall right into a groove on an old song that they make sound new again.
Last edited by Patchen Markell on Sat Apr 16, 2016 9:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
cheers, Patchen
