1996 Ravenswood Russian River Valley Zinfandel Wood Road Belloni, 14.9% alc.: Deep dark color, with a spicy black raspberry nose that follows through beautifully on the palate; Alan Kerr called it “very forest-y.” Still a big wine, well structured and rich, with many years ahead of it. Classic old school Zinfandel that walks that perfect line between ripe and earthy and to my tastes, an almost perfect wine. A blend sourced from four vineyards.
1997 Ravenswood Russian River Valley Zinfandel Belloni, 14.7% alc: Inky in color, with big black raspberry, raisin, old wood and some slate and mineral on the nose, with flavors that echo loudly; Alan notes an almost jerky-like quality. Riper than the ’96; in fact, almost over-ripe and Amarone-like, but not as big in body. Has the structure to age for several more years, but perhaps a little too ripe for Alan.
1996 Ravenswood Alexander Valley Zinfandel Big River, 14.9% alc.: Slightly rusty dark garnet color with balanced blackberry and black raspberry flavors and aromas, with some subtle earth underneath; Alan mentioned traces of smoked meat and dark chocolate. Kim added impressions of “no nose” and “very perfumed in the mouth.” Very claret-like, and if it’s not quite up to the Bellonis, it’s very nice on its own terms.
1997 Ravenswood Alexander Valley Zinfandel Big River, 14.9% alc.: Almost looks like a glass of ink, and a little riper than the ’96 with spicy black raspberry and blackberry; good balance and claret-like in character, and like the ’96, not quite as impressive as the Bellonis, but nice on its own terms.
1996 Ravenswood Sonoma Zinfandel Monte Rosso, 15% alc.: Clean dark garnet color, and claret-like, with rich, sweet black raspberry flavors and aromas that gain a subtle note of lavender with air. Riper than the ‘97 Monte Rosso, and perhaps in its optimum drinking window; it can go several more years with its solid structure, but I’m not sure there’s a good reason to wait. Delicious!
1997 Ravenswood Sonoma Zinfandel Monte Rosso, 15.5% alc.: Another glass of ink here with an earthy, tarry nose that carries over onto the palate with a rich yet dry core of spicy blackberry and black raspberry fruit. Marty Freitas likened the earthiness to Domaine de la Vougeraie red Burgundies, and this is a beautiful Zinfandel with the depth and structure for several more years of aging and development.
These are all lovely wines, and provide classic examples of what great Zinfandel can and should be. Many thanks to Alan and Marty for liberating them from their respective cellars, as it was an immense pleasure to taste through them all.
-From More Holiday Hijinx with Mr. Ridge (& Ravenswood too!)
Reporting from Day-twah,
geo t.
