Ravenswood Big River Zinfandel 2001

A relative newcomer to the Ravenswood stable (the 1994 vintage was our first, adorned with the Sonoma Sesquicentennial label), this vineyard in the Alexander valley region of Sonoma County yields Zinfandel fruit with classic rich, ripe berry flavors and peppery spice. Produced in typical Ravenswood fashion (natural yeast fermentation with the cap punched down by hand 3-5 times daily and aged 16 months in French oak) this wine is certainly big in flavor and texture, but the bright, racey acidity keeps it from seeming heavy or ponderous. To enjoy as a relatively mature wine, one could allow 3-8 additional years of cellaring.