91+ 2004 Ridge Paso Robles Zin 6/9/06 ($23)
100% Zin 14.7% alc
Color: Medium deep garnet with a touch of purple. (3.0) Bouquet: Concentrated, ripe black raspberry and cassis fruit, but tart with high acidity. Also has a beautifully well integrated cedar/ slight chocolate oak component. Well done. (3.0) Body: Silky mouthfeel with excellent balance of fruit-to-acid-to-oak. Very solid middleweight. (3.0) Flavor: A variety of tart, yet sweet berry and cherry flavors jump out at you, combined with smooth toasty oak in the background. Distinctive. (3.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but a little young with more tart acidity. (3.0)
Overall: A little better than the ’03 and at least as good as the ’01. I like the personality of this one with its very distinct, but not overly ripe fruit combined with high acidity and perfectly integrated and interesting oak nuances. Could improve in the next 1-3 years, but beautiful now (just decant an hour before drinking). Finally, a Paso Robles Zin that gives competition for the ’03 Brochelle, but in a less ripe, more classy style. I like what I’ve tasted of the 2004 vintage, so far (particularly in Zin and P.N.) and can’t wait to try more of them. (15.5)