90 2005 Ridge York Creek Zinfandel 8/22/08 ($30)
89% Zin, 11% Petit Sirah 14.5% alc
Color: Medium garnet. Lighter than their Sonoma Zins. (3.0) Bouquet: Very aromatic boysenberry with some sweet blackberry supported by excellent acidity. Has a slightly austere edge from acidity that should integrate with time. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight with dynamic, tart acidity and very good fruit. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet step-for-step. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor, but the acidity needs some time to integrate, slightly fierce. Still long and aromatic. (3.0)
Overall: Somewhat scaled down from other recent examples of this wine, that is, less alcohol and ripeness, which brings the acidity and fruit into balance, a very good thing. Very enjoyable now with its boysenberry fruit and acidity propelled aromatics on a balanced frame. Just give it a half hour in the glass to open fully. Should improve in the next 2-4 years. (15.0)