Ridge Vineyards- The grandfather of single vineyard field blends wines still produced in the way they were decades ago, albeit somewhat riper due to the climate and improved farming practices. American oak and gentle ripeness are the two identifying marks of these wines which tend to show rather vineyard specific characteristics that marks the finest Zins. Everybody should try a few Ridge Zins, particularly ones with some age on them to see the full potential of this grape, or more appropriately fields blends based on it. 
 
 
A bit stinky in the nose, earthy and very dark with crushed berry fruit accented by light pepper and ink notes. Crisp entry and then quite tense in the mouth with a bit of wood tannin sticking out early on the palate. The fruit here, a little spicy and red,  is quite clear if tight and rather soil driven supported by bright acids and small if slightly hard tannins that extend out on the long, mineral driven finish,. This seems to still be a bit disjointed and though it shows promise is missing a little something. 88pts
 
 
Beautiful on the nose with bright wild berry fruit framed by floral and mineral, and smoky top notes. Rich and powerful on entry, this is already very complex with sweet tart berry fruit framed by a little ash, briar and wood spice on entry. gaining focus in the mouth I love the tannins here, angular and craggy as they support the core of dark, inky bramble berry fruit. Just explosive on the mid-palate where the core of dark oily fruit is remarkably fresh and deep all leading to a long finish that shows off  a little chocolatiness of the oak. 92pts
 
 
A little spicy on the nose with super crushed berry fruit, a little poppy seeds, maybe even some fennel adding a provençal hint to the layered blackberry and brambly fruit with red fruit highlights. This has superb balance, clear and soil driven up front with fruit that hints at black currant, then soil and spice tones with a hint of dried herbs on the midpalate. Tannins are ripe and slightly pointy, acid is firm lending a tart note to the flavors, finishing with energy and fine tannins. Broad shouldered and narrow waisted with just terrific purity to the fruit and tannins show upon the finish. Vibrant and alive, this is great Zin. 94pts
 
 
Ripe with licorice and plum fruit on the nose, then turning spicy and showing a touch of caramel evolution. Bright and vibrant on entry with tart acids supporting fruit that's right on the line between fresh and aged retaining plenty of lightly peppery red fruit and softer, ripe plum notes emerging on the palate.  The tannins are really silky at this point, probably pretty much at peak and turning a bit earthy on the modest finish and rather structure driven, with some bubble gum vanilla and bay leaf oak showing through. 88pts
 
 
Vanilla toned and fresh with creamy currant aromas along with some licorice, and tart red fruit notes,. Decidedly fresher than the Mazzoni, soft and silky on the palate with blue fruit that is a bit inky,though  fresh and focused. This is easy to drink and rather zesty with fine cut on the palate, tannins that are supple and ripe lending a touch of fullness to the palate, which picks up a hint of herbal quality. It’s a bit short on the finish but pretty. I could see serving this slightly chilled for a summer’s BBQ. 89pts
 
 
Stemmy, herbal and complex on the nose which retains plenty of fresh fruit while showing wonderful integration of the oak. On entry this shows a little caramelly and dried plummy fruit character, soft, then brightening on the palate it’s definitely showing some evolved fruit here, all dark and deep small berried black fruit, with the tannins fairly resolved. With it’s savory liquorice and minty notes this tastes Italian. Drink up. 87pts
 
 
Still youthful and fruity on the nose with a fine underlay of fresh spicy wood and vanilla aromas. Still tight, and fairly taut, on the palate this shows off fine balance, this opens with a bit of char then reveals dried cherry fruit, floral tones, red fruit, pomegranate seeds, raspberry, soil tones,and a bit of chocolate all unravelling from the core. Ultimately this is very young but at the same time it is  clear and superbly vibrant, briary,and a little inky on the backend, and through the long finish which shows a little nutty, nutella, cocoa character. This is entering its peak drinking window. Enjoy it over the coming 5 years or so. 92pts
 
 
Simply gorgeous aromatics, all dried strawberry and raspberry supported by tobacco and woodspice and tart red fruit.  Broad, chewy and rich in the mouth with gorgeous fruit that is vibrant and clear, supported by polished little tannins. the structural balance here is really wonderful, though this needs another 2 to 3 years, it is already fabulous if a little chunky on the backend that pops with raspberry and red cherry flavors leading to a long, vibrant finish. Classic Geyserville in the making. 93pts