Ridge Vineyards
Ponzo Vineyard Zinfandel Petite Sirah
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
A few things; I still have not opened a bad bottle of Ridge, not even a corked bottle & I’ve had a number of them. First time having this bottling. I don’t drink a lot of Zinfandel or Zinfandel blends but when I do, I prefer Ridge’s style.
96% Zinfandel & 4% Petite Sirah. Decanted 40 minutes.
Intense nose of; brambly blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries and hints of blueberries, incense, soft black pepper, mid berry cola, black licorice, light barrel shavings, vanilla, melty, dark chocolate, caramel notes, dark spice, some; nutmeg, clove, cinnamon. Liquid violets, lavender and red candid flowers.
The palate shows; round, lush & juicy fruits of; brambly blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, liqueured dark cherries. boysenberries, notes of poached strawberries and hints of blueberries. Incense, soft black pepper, mid berry cola, black licorice, light barrel shavings, vanilla, melty dark chocolate, caramel notes, dark spice with some heat, a little; nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, finely crushed rocks, dry top soil, dry twig, used iron pan notes, powdered minerals, liquid violets, lavender and red candid flowers, excellent round acidity, tall structure & fairly big tension, well balanced and nicely, layered, polished finish that lasts nearly 90 seconds.
Still a bit young to me. Better in 5-7 yrs and will drink well for another 5-7 after that. More new wood use here than I am used to in their Zin & Zin blends.
Paired nicely with my Allen Brothers burger.
Photos of; the drive up entry to Ridge’s tasting room hilltop above Cupertino, cellar barrel, Ponzo Vineyard fruit and their tasting terrace.
A few things; I still have not opened a bad bottle of Ridge, not even a corked bottle & I’ve had a number of them. First time having this bottling. I don’t drink a lot of Zinfandel or Zinfandel blends but when I do, I prefer Ridge’s style.
96% Zinfandel & 4% Petite Sirah. Decanted 40 minutes.
Intense nose of; brambly blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries and hints of blueberries, incense, soft black pepper, mid berry cola, black licorice, light barrel shavings, vanilla, melty, dark chocolate, caramel notes, dark spice, some; nutmeg, clove, cinnamon. Liquid violets, lavender and red candid flowers.
The palate shows; round, lush & juicy fruits of; brambly blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, liqueured dark cherries. boysenberries, notes of poached strawberries and hints of blueberries. Incense, soft black pepper, mid berry cola, black licorice, light barrel shavings, vanilla, melty dark chocolate, caramel notes, dark spice with some heat, a little; nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, finely crushed rocks, dry top soil, dry twig, used iron pan notes, powdered minerals, liquid violets, lavender and red candid flowers, excellent round acidity, tall structure & fairly big tension, well balanced and nicely, layered, polished finish that lasts nearly 90 seconds.
Still a bit young to me. Better in 5-7 yrs and will drink well for another 5-7 after that. More new wood use here than I am used to in their Zin & Zin blends.
Paired nicely with my Allen Brothers burger.
Photos of; the drive up entry to Ridge’s tasting room hilltop above Cupertino, cellar barrel, Ponzo Vineyard fruit and their tasting terrace.
Underwhelmed by this wine. The Ridge name had me expecting more depth but this seemed to have only 1 to 2 layers at most and seemed simple for RRV Zin.
Underwhelmed by this wine. The Ridge name had me expecting more depth but this seemed to have only 1 to 2 layers at most and seemed simple for RRV Zin.
1 person found it helpfulDec 18th, 2017
Usual Ridge flavor profile -- bright deep fruit / american oak. Lots if dry tannins this time, needs a couple of years.
Usual Ridge flavor profile -- bright deep fruit / american oak. Lots if dry tannins this time, needs a couple of years.
Mar 6th, 2017
Very nice. Soft. Nice oakyness, vanilla, nice complexity and length. Will be bangin' in 5 years.
Very nice. Soft. Nice oakyness, vanilla, nice complexity and length. Will be bangin' in 5 years.
Apr 23rd, 2017
Deliciously soft and elegant zin
Deliciously soft and elegant zin
Apr 1st, 2017
smells of rich blackcurrant, plum, blackcherries all stewed together. animal smells and wood- and almost a little rot.
flavors show sweet blackberry and ripe plum with sweet cherries. nice- but almost syrupy.
smells of rich blackcurrant, plum, blackcherries all stewed together. animal smells and wood- and almost a little rot.
flavors show sweet blackberry and ripe plum with sweet cherries. nice- but almost syrupy.
