Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys, Sonoma County (2022)
Ridge built its name on single-vineyard wines, so Three Valleys is the odd one out - and that is the point. It blends fruit from around ten Sonoma vineyards into one wine, including lots from Ridge's celebrated old-vine sites like Lytton Springs that don't make it into those flagship bottlings. You get a real taste of the Ridge style for a fraction of the price.
Zinfandel leads, filled out by Carignane, Petite Sirah and a little Mataro. It is made exactly the way the top wines are - hand-harvested, fermented with natural yeasts, then twelve months in air-dried American oak - just built to drink younger.
The result is bright and easy to love: wild berry, black plum and a touch of mint and pepper, with soft tannins and a long, spicy finish. No waiting required - open it now, lightly cool on a warm day. Serve at cool room temperature.
The 2022 Vintage
The Fulham Wine Co Take