Tried this wine earlier in the week:
- Ridge Zin Calif PasoRobles BenitoDusiRanch/PasoRobles/SLOCnty (14.6%; 100% Zin; bttld Dec 09; 86 yr old vnyd; Drk: 8/09-8/14-8/16: EB) 2008: Med.dark color w/ some bricking; strong vanilla/new Am.oak rather dusty/OV some ripe/boysenberry/Zin/blackberry/spicy slight PR/jammy bit complex nose; soft very rich/lush bit hot/alcoholc strong blackberry/boysenberry/spicy Zin rather dusty/OV strong vanilla/new Am.oak classic PR Zin flavor w/ light smooth/ripe tannins; very long/lingering ripe/PR/jammy/blackberry/boysenberry/Zin strong Am.oak/vanilla slight licorice dusty/OV finish w/ light smooth tannins; no signs of drying out and probably as good as it will ever be; lots of new Am.oak; a classic Ridge Paso Zin.
A wee BloodyPulpit:
- Beck in the late '60’s, DaveBennion took his first Zin from BennieDusi. I did not care much for those early Ridge Paso Zins. Dave was concerned about avoiding that classic overripe/jammy character of most Paso Zins, as mostly exhibited by the Pesentis. So he picked for about 12% alcohol. The wines were quite chalky, lacking in fruit, and rather on the lean side. When Draper allowed them to get much riper, the PR fruit came to the forefront and the wines became much better. Consistently one of the best Zins from PR.
Tom