91+ 2012 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2/26/15 ($35)
90% Zinfandel, 9% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro 14.1% alc
Color: Deep purple garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Cedar complements sweet/tart black fruits (blackberries and cassis). Shows a little heat and ripeness here. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent fruit and acidity, slightly chalky. Tangy mouthfeel that coats somewhat. (3.0) Flavor: Prettier than the bouquet with tangy blueberry added to the fruit mix. (3.5) Finish: Blueberries and old vines complexity (interesting briar and elegant spices) linger. (3.5)
Overall: An elegant Pagani that has precise blueberry and blackberry fruit along with briary, musky, spicy old vines complexity. But it is a little young and slightly closed at present. Needs several hours of decanting or 2-3 years bottle age to open. Probably at its best at 6-8 years old. A pretty wine even now, being somewhat Pinot like. (16.0)
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