Ridge Vineyards
1999 Zinfandel York Creek Late Picked

Appellation: Napa Valley, California

There was some controversy about this wine in our tasting group (scores of 84 - 88), which is not surprising since wines like this are a matter of taste. It is unquestionably a well-made wine, but to most of us, the 1.2% residual sugar and slightly raisiny taste simply turned an otherwise big, forward, tasty Zinfandel into something less enjoyable. The sugar tended to dampen the exuberance that makes Zins such a pleasure to drink. This is definitely a dessert wine, though to our tastes inferior to many ports that could be obtained at a lower price. That being said, this is still a full, sweet, port-like wine with prunes, blackberries, raisins, and strawberry components. A long finish, too, but as a Zinfandel, just not our cup of tea.