91+ 2006 Ridge East Bench Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 5/2/09 ($29)
100% Zinfandel 14.9% alc
Color: Medium deep purple garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Wild black raspberry and black cherry fruit with excellent briar and some new oak.. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent fruit, chalky acidity and tannin. Also has a healthy dose of oak, but not overdone. Rich mouthfeel that coats. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with sweet/tart racy fruit. Intense, but not heavy. Full mid-palate. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with length, but not quite as intense. Also, just a little bit of bitterness (oak and heat). (3.0)
Overall: An excellent Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel in a classic style from the benchland bordering the Alexander Valley. It has a flamboyant personality with excellent acidity and fruit with very good tannins supporting. A joy to drink now, but should smooth and improve in the next 2-5 years. I wish the Lytton Springs in recent years showed this much personality. Has a little bitterness in the finish, but I really like the structure and racy fruit. (15.5)