Ridge Three Valleys Red 2006
Red Wine
from Sonoma County, California
winemaker's notes:
"One of the friendliest Ridge zins we've tasted in a long time, this is exuberant and focused on fresh black cherry flavors. It has a cool, foresty feel to balance the tannins and their lasting spice. Give these tannins anything meaty, especially slow-smoked ribs."
-Wines & Spirits
80% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignane, 5% Grenache
"Three Valleys" is the proprietary name for the
only Ridge wine blended from multiple vineyard sites. They select softer, more accessible lots
from their single vineyards and, taking the role of
winemaker literally, create a character they find
most appealing.
Younger vines from Lytton
Estate provided most of the fruit; older vines on
five small Alexander Valley vineyards and one
Russian River vineyard make up the rest. The
grapes fermented on their own yeasts in
small-capacity tanks. Pressed, on average, by
the seventh day, they completed a natural
malolactic fermentation. The wine was then
racked to american oak barrels, whose staves
had been air (not kiln) dried for twenty-four
months.
Ridge blind-tasted all the lots in spring,
creating this elegant blend. Their sixth vintage of
Three Valleys contains the highest percentage
of Zinfandel to date. Sensuous structure and
rich fruit give the wine immediate appeal; it will
be most enjoyable over the next five years.