2020 East Bench Zinfandel, Ridge Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley

"Vividly briary - as though one fell into a patch of raspberry bushes - its also very structured and full of cassis flavours, leading one to momentarily wonder if there isnt some Cabernet in there. Long and layered, it reveals itself slowly. East Bench is one of the few Ridge Zinfandels that is 100% Zinfandel. The vineyard sits on a high west-facing bench of land overlooking Dry Creek Valley from the east. As is common in Dry Creek Valley, the vines are head trained - without trellising - even though they were planted relatively recently in 2000. Dry Creek may well be Californias most renowned AVA for Zinfandel, and this wine shows its classic provenance." 94 points, Decanter

100% Zinfandel

About the vineyard:
A true Dry Creek Valley zinfandel, East Bench shows the characteristic cherry fruit and dusty spice that are the hallmarks of the appellation. Potent, ripe boysenberry and blackberry with a pronounced rusticity and earthiness often attributed to its petite sirah and carignane components.