88+ 2002 Ridge Three Valleys 6/18/05 ($17)
76% Zin, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Mataro
Serious, full-bodied Zin for the price. Shows rich Zinberry fruit with briary spice even now, but surrounded by a slightly brooding structure of acidity, tannin and oak. Still balanced and relatively smooth, just young. A more true to form Zin than the ’01 version, this wine has room to improve in the next 2-3 years. Can be enjoyed now, but I recommend decanting 1-2 hours before drinking.