Ridge - Zinfandel East Bench 2020
Price: $37.97
Producer | Ridge |
Country | United States |
Region | California |
Subregion | Sonoma County |
Varietal | Zinfandel |
Vintage | 2020 |
Sku | 00149 |
Ridge Description
Fresh black cherry, fig, and vanilla on the nose, with notes of mint. Medium to full body with rich raspberry on the palate and well-coated tannins. Beautifully balanced with a juicy finish.
Wine & Spirits: 94 Points
While Draper and Gates have long sustained ancient plantings, they have also used the genetic inheritance from four pre-Prohibition parcels to plant their East Bench vineyard in 2000 and 2001, vines that are proving to be a significant part of Ridge’s arsenal. The 2020 vintage may be the most beautiful East Bench Zinfandel yet, a cool well of fruit surrounded by earthen depths of tannins. Over several days, the wine yields flavors of blueberries, roses and savory herbs, the detail in the tannins suggesting a long life ahead.
James Suckling: 94 Points
Lots of blackberries and wrought iron with cloves and black peppercorns. Medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins that are linear and run the length of the wine. Solid and fine. Focused.
Decanter: 94 Points
Vividly briary - as though one fell into a patch of raspberry bushes - it’s also very structured and full of cassis flavours, leading one to momentarily wonder if there isn’t some Cabernet in there. Long and layered, it reveals itself slowly. East Bench is one of the few Ridge Zinfandels that is 100% Zinfandel. The vineyard sits on a high west-facing bench of land overlooking Dry Creek Valley from the east. As is common in Dry Creek Valley, the vines are head trained - without trellising - even though they were planted relatively recently in 2000. Dry Creek may well be California’s most renowned AVA for Zinfandel, and this wine shows its classic provenance.