Ridge Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Pagani Ranch 2010

WA 94pts - Winemaker Notes - California's dry winter weather persisted for a second year, and the deep roots of these century-old vines provided just enough water to get through the growing season. We picked on September 30, crushing the small crop into five open-top tanks. To stabilize alicante's intense color, we co-fermented it with the zinfandel. Juice was pumped over skins for five days during a vigorous natural-yeast fermentation. Natural secondary finished by mid- November. Each lot was exceptional, and we combined all five for this year's Pagani. Racked to barrel early, its intense fruit and amazing depth permitted use of twentyfive percent new american oak barrels; the rest were one, three, and four years old. Over fifteen months, tannins have softened. The wine's complex fruit and superb balance will show best over the next seven to eight years.

Massive and ripe, but lacks finesse, showing dark huckleberry and tar aromas and concentrated wild berry, pepper and loamy earth flavors that finish with chewy tannins. Best from 2010 through 2015.

The (15% alcohol) 2001 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch (88% Zinfandel and 12% Alicante Bouchet) is a powerful effort. It reveals surprisingly good acidity for a wine of this size, as well as deep, chewy, Amarone-like raisiny, raspberry and cherry flavors intermixed with hints of prunes and earth. A touch of asphalt also makes an appearance in this full-bodied, chunky 2001. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

Massive and ripe, but lacks finesse, showing dark huckleberry and tar aromas and concentrated wild berry, pepper and loamy earth flavors that finish with chewy tannins. Best from 2010 through 2015.

Ripe, earthy and a touch funky, with a twinge of dill to the ripe, raisiny fruit flavors that are rich and concentrated. Turns tannic. Drink now through 2004.

The 2008 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is a blend 85% Zinfandel, 10% Alicante Bouschet, and the rest Petite Sirah that tips the scales at a lofty 15% alcohol. Possessing ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some wood spice, earth, and subtle herbs, this wine cuts a broad, rich, full-bodied swath across the palate. More exuberant and richer than the more elegant Lytton Springs, this is full-throttle Zinfandel at its best, but beautifully pure, textured, and long. It should drink well for 7-8 years

Pagani Ranch has long been a renowned source for top quality Zinfandel, and Ridgersquo;s 1999 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch (90% Zinfandel, 7% Alicante Bouchet, and 3% Petite Sirah) came in at 14.1% alcohol. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied be tangy, hard acidity, a big, sweet, black cherry and briery noise, excellent ripeness, medium to full body, and a moderately long, austere finish. Enjoy it over the next 4ndash;6 years.