2019 Ridge Vineyards, “East Bench”, Zinfandel, Dry Creek, Sonoma, California, USA

£35.95

3 in stock

Description

Roving Sommelier is passionate about premium quality wines. Ridge Vineyards is many wine lovers’ favourite Californian vigneron and has developed a fine reputation and cult status internationally, especially with connoisseurs of iconic North American vineyards and lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.

Established many years ago by the legendary Paul Draper, Ridge Vineyards first came onto my wine radar back in the 1990s, when I tasted their flavoursome reds, including the iconic Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon and single vineyard Zinfandels. Without fail, since 1997, which is when I became a sommelier, a wine from Ridge Vineyards has always been on my list of producers. Sonoma in California seems to be a great spot for pure Zinfandel too, with many top winegrowers locating there to emphasise the potential of its suitable microclimate for this powerful and highly aromatic black grape. This is also proper Zin, not the mass-produced ‘blush’ style, sweet concoctions that have been churned out of California on an industrial scale. Within this prestigious wine district, Ridge Vineyards already produce benchmark Zins such as the legendary Geyserville and Lytton Springs vineyards. East Bench is another of their single vineyard Zins, this one situated in the Dry Creek Valley and is a blend of seven vineyard parcels of fruit. It displays classic peppery, red fruit notes typical of Dry Creek. Enjoyable on release, this pure Zin will continue to develop and improve over the next ten years, possibly even more.

Best enjoyed decanted at least one hour before service and in a convivial atmosphere.

Alcohol: 14.5% abv (75cl)

Closure: Cork

Grape variety: 100% Zinfandel

Flavour Profile: Full-bodied, Powerful, Highly aromatic, Peppery, Spice, Red fruits, Complex.