Coast Range Zinfandel Blend

I don’t know that Ridge has ever done an early release, inexpensive blend of leftover odds and ends like this. It’s 59% Zin, 18% Carignane (a/k/a “Kerrigan” 🙂), 13% Petite Sirah, and 10% Cabernet. Nose is juicy/ fruity right out of the gate with Zin blackberry augmented with red berries. Palate balances the fruitiness with a loamy gravel note. There’s a bit of youthful but soft tannin, and decent acidity. I’m detecting some RS that I wish was not there, but this would sure be a crowd pleaser at a cookout with burgers or pizza night. Nice for $20!

File this one under #famousforareason

Oldest zin I've had. Soft l, but you still know it's Zinfandel and it's still drinking.

Wasn't stored correctly, but after 24 hours opened, started giving more drinkable flavored. Firm acid, still some grip. Very sanguine and spice.

Sour fruit, and dark fruit, spicy, complex and balanced. Amazing.

I love Ridge, but this one missed the mark for me. On the sweet side and without complexity.

The first bottle right after receiving this lot felt a little overblown and pruny. So glad I waited a while before opening a second one. This is now well put together and putting across the notes I expect out of old vine field blend California coast; chocolate, coffee, cool climate lift right on top of intensity.

1978. Red and black cherries, black plums, blackberries, silky tannins, soy sauce, mushrooms, medium acidity. So complex and alive, evolving in the glass. Stunning.

The most special Zinfandel I've ever had. Held up over the years far better than I had hoped.

Great color, full of life. My favorite of the night at Bern's.