East Bench Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits and tangy spices. On the palate flavors of blackberry and raspberry with black pepper, tar, spice and a touch of earthy herbs. Fine rustic tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, earthy spice and some oak. Nice!

The wine for bison burgers

Smooth and balanced. The right amount of acid and jam. Fantastic vintage

You know those jammy fruit bomb Zins with residual sugar to boot? This is NOT that. If anything, it leans far in the other direction. The nose is old school Zin. Brambly, musky, with bright black raspberry and some warm gravel. In the mouth, it’s very “claret”-like, with a bone dry profile. There’s an initial medium intensity hit of fruit, but then it quickly dries up and the back half of the palate is actually a little astringent. I’m not sensing the mid-palate concentration that will eventually overtake the lean and severe impression, so I’d recommend drinking these in the next couple of years.

Still solid 3 years later

Not bad but I loved the 2018 so much more than this.

Another vintage and still very good. It's bold, fruity and deep. With a chocolate sweetness and with some tar and cigar. Mild tannins.

Delicious red recommended by the sommelier at Cafe DelSace on the UES. Asked for a bold red and the waiter surprised us with this choice. Very berry. Very delicious. Went ahead and bought half a case the day after

Ridge is one of my favorite non-Pinot wineries but I don’t love the Zin the way I love their blends. Plum, strawberry, cinnamon, tobacco and a reasonable amount of tannin.

This wine leaps out of the glass. Amazing stuff. So consistent.