95 1997 Ridge Pagani Ranch 4/20/07 ($25)
88% Zin, 7% Mataro, 3% PS, 2% Alicante Bouchet 14.6% alc
Color: Very deep garnet that is surprisingly youthful. Can barely see through it with no onion skin. (4.0) Bouquet: Wonderfully aromatic boysenberry and blueberry with racy acidity. Rich and intense with exceptional old vines character. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with outstanding fruit concentration complemented by a lot of acidity, but the fruit still handles it. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but not as intense.(3.0) Finish: Parallels bouquet. The acidity is slightly harsh, but it’s so delicious you barely notice. Long and tasty with subtle oak lingering. (3.5)
Overall: A hedonistically delicious Zin with acidity that is a little over the top (typical of the vintage), but the delicious, multidimensional fruit combined with old vines complexity makes it great. This is a flamboyant style of Zin that shines for me. The best bottle of this that I’ve had. I don’t know if it’s the age or just a pristine bottle. (The cork looked like it was pulled from a new release and the color was perfect.) I have said in the past that Pagani Ranch is not as ageworthy as Lytton Springs or Geyserville. This wine proves me wrong. It matches the ‘97 Geyserville at its best (2-3 years ago) and has a couple of years left in it, at least. Unfortunately, my last bottle. The ’97 Paso Robles is still my favorite of the vintage, surprisingly. (17.0)