🌍 RIDGE East Bench Zin. 2020

The East Bench vineyard is planted on iron-rich clay loam soils, with ancient river rock.

The vines were planted in 2000 and 2001 using cuttings from four pre-Prohibition era vineyards and they are farmed organically. The vines are head trained and spur pruned. Harvesting was carried out by hand, with each of seven parcels picked separately.

All this is fine and well but what is it like to try. I tasted this at a trade tasting in Feb 2024 and loved it. Big Bold and a statement piece from these guys. Even though Ridge has 525 Acres – If you imagine someone being sent to a corner of a room to do their homework then this is East Bench Vineyard.

Lots of forest floor fruits especially boysenberry. Grippy tannins but not those moisture sucking reds that leave your tongue on your upper palate. This is a fine example of a west coast Zinfandel. If you are to find your grape and to find your Zin, then this is a pretty good Bench mark!
 
Varietals
100. % Zinfandel
Appearance
Ruby Red
Aroma
Ripe black cherry, fig and vanilla on the nose. With touches of mint. Could almost be a fancy pudding in a top restaurant in a capital city.
Palate
The medium-full palate is layered with flavours of plums, wild raspberries, savoury herbs and black olives, with just enough tannin to add a pleasing grip.
Food pairing:
Pork Tenderloin with Dauphinoise potatoes. Tri-tip steak with mashed potatoes and greens
 
Size of Ridge vineyards (x 212 hectares or 212 International sized rugby pitch)
 
Ageing potential
Till 2031

 
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