When it comes to California Red Zin, Ridge Vineyards is pretty much the bee's knees. Their Three Valleys Zinfandel Blend is in really good form this vintage, and you'll have a hard time finding it at a better price than our's.
Rated 93 points by Wine Spectator and 92 points by Jeb Dunnuck, this Zinfandel-based field blend is clicking on all cylinders this vintage. Get some before it gets gone!
2019 Ridge Three Valleys Red Blend
93 points Wine Spectator, 92 points Jeb Dunnuck
ORDER NOW in our online store.
For Red Zinfandel lovers, it’s pretty hard to beat Ridge. This is one of those producers that just doesn’t seem to fail, regardless of vintage conditions. In the highly rated 2019 vintage, they excelled. Keep in mind this is their entry-level wine, but there is nothing entry-level about it.
Unlike Ridge's single vineyard Zinfandels, which reflect the unique character of each site, Three Valleys speaks more of the overall Sonoma vintage as a whole. The 2019 Three Valleys is a blend of 73% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane, 3% Mataro, and 1% Alicante Bouschet from ten different vineyards scattered throughout Sonoma, and that high quality vintage character really comes through in this wine.
One of the things I love about Ridge is they continue to make their wines in a minimal interventionist style, aka natural. Fruit comes from sustainably and organically farmed vineyards and grapes are hand harvested. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts, and the wine is aged for 10 months in older American oak barrels. It is then bottled with minimal fining and filtration. "Less is more" is the overriding philosophy at Ridge.
I love the style of this wine, which balances wonderfully rich fruit and spice notes with a sublime texture. Wine Spectator called it an "engaging blend, well-knit and distinctive for its savory raspberry and cherry flavors that draw in bay leaf, Asian spice and smoked pepper notes." Jeb Dunnuck echoed that sentiment, describing it as "a medium-bodied wine with a soft, elegant texture, sweet tannins, and just an undeniably delicious, gulpable, balanced style that's impossible to resist."
Both reviewers said this would drink well for the next 5-7 years, and while I'm inclined to believe them, I’ll have trouble keeping my hands off of this one for any length of time. One of the all-time great reds to serve with grilled meats or barbecue, this is soft and luscious enough to enjoy without food.
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville