94+ 2001 Ridge Essence Petite Sirah (Lytton Estate) 12/26/08 ($35) 375mL
75% Petite Sirah, 25% Zin 14.2% alc 10% residual sugar
Color: Purple black garnet. (4.0) Bouquet: Very ripe figs and plums with some briary spice. Nice acidity. (3.0) Body: Heavyweight that coats the mouth with rich, viscous fruit and structure. (4.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet. Delicious. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor, but shows a lot of class here, not being heavy, over-ripe or flawed in any way. Still needs time to totally open. (3.0)
Overall: This is a hedonistically delicious, yet classy elixir that follows in the footsteps of great Ridge Essences of the past. It is perfectly balanced and should continue to develop more complexity and improve over the next 10 years, but don't hesitate to drink it now. It is a bit thicker in texture and more structured than the Essence Zinfandel, but not all that different, i.e., if you love one you'll love the other. (17.0)