2006 Ridge Vineyards "East Bench" Dry Creek Zinfandel

One star from the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines : "Sporting the heretofore unseen "East Bench" designation, this new offering from Ridge makes a fine first impression with its open, oak-sweetened aromas of vanilla and well-ripened berries and its polished, varietal-fruit flavors. It stiffens up and shows a few angles and edges as its early charms fade and its acids and tannins kick in, and there is no question but that it will it benefit from a few years of smoothing." (May 2008) From Wine Spectator: "Offers a nice mix of rustic power and elegance, with black raspberry and roasted dill aromas that lead to dried cherry, cedar and cracked pepper flavors. Drink now through 2012. 1,500 cases made." (Dec. 15, 2008) The 2006 Ridge "East Bench" Zinfandel is the first the famed winery has made entirely from fruit grown on the benchland that separates Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. Extended maceration has made this a gorgeous inky-purple color and added to the wine's depth and complexity. Classic Dry Creek, it is a structured, luxuriant zin full of briary fruit with chalky but balanced tannins. Enjoy now and over the next five years.