Ridge Vineyards "East Bench" Zinfandel 2020 (Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California) - [JS 94] [W&S 94]

Ridge Vineyards "East Bench" Zinfandel 2020
(Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California) - [JS 94] [W&S 94]


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About this Wine:
Ridge has made the East Bench as a single vineyard since 2006, one of the few Ridge zinfandels that is 100% zinfandel. The vineyard sits high atop the bench land that overlooks Dry Creek Valley from the east.

Winemaker Tasting Notes:
Ruby red color, focused cherry notes on the nose with toasty oak. On the palate, raspberry fruit with elegant tannins and an accent of mint on the finish. JO (1/21)

Technical Data

Vineyard: East Bench
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
Alcohol By Volume: 14.5%
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Harvest Dates:10 – 26 September
Grapes Average Brix: 24.4˚
TA: 5.87 g/L
pH: 3.70
Fermentation: Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; once daily pump-overs; pressed at seven days.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (20% new, 20% one year-old, 20% three year-old, 30% four years-old and 10% five years-old).
Aging: Twelve months in barrel

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Wine & Spirits:
“As the vines at East Bench mature, they are proving to be a significant part of Ridge’s legacy for future generations. While Paul Draper and David Gates have focused decades of their energy sustaining California’s ancient plantings of zinfandel and mixed blacks, they have also used the genetic inheritance from four of those pre-Prohibition parcels in a research project that resulted in the selection of zinfandel cuttings they propagated to plant East Bench in 2000 and 2001. The site of an abandoned zinfandel vineyard from the 19th century, East Bench is close to Lytton Springs, at the border between the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys. Gates farms the vineyard as if it were one of the historic sites, the vines head trained and spur pruned. John Olney, now COO and head winemaker at Ridge, has been in charge at Lytton Springs since this project began. The vines are now hitting their stride, this wine’s grapes harvested just as the fires began in 2020, their fruit providing what may be the most beautiful East Bench Zinfandel yet. The wine feels completely ripe, a cool well of fruit surrounded by earthen depth of tannins. Over the course of several days, the wine yields flavors of blueberries, roses and savory herbs, the detail in the tannins suggesting a long life ahead.” -J.G. (June 2022)

94 Points - James Suckling:
“Lots of blackberries and wrought iron with cloves and black peppercorns. Medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins that are linear and run the length of the wine. Solid and fine. Focused. Drink or hold.”

94 Points - Blue Lifestyle:
“Smooth and deep, with tangy berry fruit, with notes of cinnamon and vanilla, nicely structured, long, layered and lovely, from one of the world’s greatest Zinfandel regions.” -Anthony Dias Blue (March 2022)

92 Points - OwenBargreen.com:
“This 100% varietal bottling came from an exceedingly small crop and was harvested the first week of September. The nose is very appealing with its blood orange zest and wild strawberry tones alongside shades of wintergreen. The palate is very soft and approachable with bright acidity and red raspberry, pomegranate seed and sour red cherry flavors alongside this brilliant vein of tension. Just an infant now, this medium-bodied, well-structured Zin will surely cellar well for another ten years or more. Drink 2022-2032” -Owen Bargreen (March 2022)

92 Points - Zinfandel Chronicles:
“Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. 100% Zinfandel from Funsten Ranch. Enticing nose of red and black fruits, plums and cocoa. Medium body with tremendous acidity. Rich and savory. Strawberry, black raspberry, earth and pepper on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Super Zinfandel that is a perfect reflection of the Dry Creek Valley. Best over the next 3-5 years.” -Tom Lee (March 2022)