65% Zinfandel, 26% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Alicante Bouschet. Nose of toasty oak, strawberry jam, mixed berry pie, black tea and baking spice. Layered black and blue fruit on the palate with milk chocolate, cherry, garrigue and textured tannins on the finish.
In 1962, Ridge made its first Monte Bello, and two years later its first zinfandel. Since that time, Ridge has championed single-vineyard winemaking, searching California for those rare and exceptional vineyards where climate, soil, and variety are ideally matched.
Since its inception, Ridge has focused on single vineyard wines. Three Valleys is a winemakers wine, made by carefully combining parcels from a number of different vineyards. After aging for twelve months in barrel, the tannins have softened and brought out the fruit. Enjoyable now, this excellent wine will continue to develop over the next five years.
The history of the Ridge Three Valleys began with the release of the 2001. The wine contains grapes from a number of Sonoma vineyards—this year, ten. Great care is taken in selecting the fruit, which is hand-harvested then crushed and fermented on its native yeast and naturally occurring malolactic bacteria at both Monte Bello and Lytton Springs wineries. Unlike the single-vineyard Ridge wines, which reflect the distinctive character of each site, Three Valleys represents the blending of vineyards—winemaking at its finest. Zinfandel determines the wine’s varietal character; old-vine carignane contributes bright fruit and acidity; petite sirah spice, depth of color, and firm tannins.