91 2008 Ridge Pagani Ranch (Sonoma Valley) 2/27/16 ($35)
85% Zinfandel, 10% Alicante Bouschet, 3% Petite Sirah, 2% Carignane 15.0% alc
Color: Deep garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Creamy cocoa intertwined with Zinberry. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight plus with a silky mouthfeel. Excellent fruit and acidity. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but more expressive. (3.0) Finish: Even more expressive than the flavor with tangy Zinberry, bitter cocoa and nice structure lingering. (3.5)
Overall: A very tasty Pagani with lots of creamy cocoa complementing the Zinberry fruit. The cocoa/oak does gets in the way of the old vines fruit, but certainly not over oaked. This has not improved from its release, but is still excellent. Drink now with a decanting or give it 2-3 more years. I doubt it will improve from here, but stranger things have happened. (15.5)
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