Some Rise by Zin, and Some by Virtue

While to many Ridge is synonymous with quality Zinfandel, it's also one of the shining stars of the Santa Cruz Mountains. When I visited the Santa Cruz Mountains last year Ridge was near the top of my list of wineries to visit!
Now when they call this place Ridge, wow they are not kidding! It's at the very top of the very narrow and winding Monte Bellow Road. As you drive up be careful as many Cyclist love the climb to the top as well. If you are considering a trip to the tasting room, go (the tasting room fills up quickly on weekends) early, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view. I can hardly recommend it enough!

I had made some Baked Ziti last night and planned to have a nice Zin with the meal. My wife and I having tasted the Ridge, Dusi Ranch 2005, Paso Robles, SLO, 100% Zinfandel and loving it so much we took half a case, we opened one last night. Wow, it an inkey gob of liqueur like crushed blackberry and sappy cherry gushed into our glasses rim to rim and what fell upon our palate's were mounds of mouth coating layers of super ripe berry flavors, with a slight undercurrent of minerality to balance out the kirsch flavors of one of Paso's oldest surviving Zinfandel vineyards. (85 year old vines)

The finish was long and caressing and continued the berry compote expression of this very approachable 2005 Zinfandel. You can still find the 2005 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles Dusi Ranch between $21.99 and $30.00 depending on where you look, which makes this for some not your everyday drinking wine. This wine was every bit what remembered in our tasting room experience (which is not always the case) If I were rating wine it would definitely score an easy 90 points. Until next time Cheers!