Wine Last Sold on: September 5, 2012
Random Ridge
Featured Wine:
2009 Old Wave Old Vine Zinfandel
| Varietal: | Zinfandel |
| Vineyard: | Casa Santinamaria Vineyard |
| Region: | California: Sonoma Valley |
| Availability: | Limited |
| Avg. Price: | $27.00 |
| Wine Spies: | $19.99 |
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SUPERIOR WINE ALERT:
We only showcase wines that we love. While our emphasis is on quality first, every now and again we come across a real standout wine that rises above. When we do, we issue alerts like this one.
SUPER QPR ALERT:
At today’s special Wine Spies price, this wine delivers tremendous value - and a drinking experience that exceeds expectations, easily earning it this special QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) Alert.
SECRET SAVINGS ALERT
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Mission Codename: Who Knew?!
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Return to Random Ridge and secure an ample cache of their 2009 Old Wave Old Vine Zinfandel, a truly superior single vineyard Zinfandel made from vines planted a century ago
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
- Winemaker
- Bill Hawley
- Final Assessment (formerly our Conclusion)
- Very highly recommended! Today’s terrific 2009 Random Ridge Old Wave Zinfandel comes to us from our dear friend and winemaker,Bill Hawley. In the five years that we’ve been featuring his wines, we have always focused on his Cabernet Sauvignon, his Cabernet Franc or his Cab/Franc blends. When Bill offered us his Old Vine Zinfandel, we leaped at the chance. This wine is a juicy, delicious wine that is bursting with bright red fruit and supported by a delicious backing of earthy flavors. The fruit is juicy and authentic and the brightness makes this wine an especially easy companion for a great meal. We paired ours with Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. The pairing was superb.
Overall, this wine is delicious, juicy, complex and intriguing. It is also a very fun wine to drink and enjoy - on its own or with food.
Tasting Profile
Dark burgundy hues, with a ruby red edges and a slightly darker core. After swirling the wine, tall, skinny, wine-stained tears move swiftly down the glass.
Lush and dark, with fruit, spice and earthy aromas that absolutely leap from the glass. Juicy blackberry, raspberry and cherry are the primary notes. These sit directly atop sweet brown spice, sandalwood, sweet dried fall leaves, blackberry candy, leather and black pepper.
Smooth, cool and light - at first. Then, the wine settles onto the tongue, revealing plush tannins and a bright acidity that appears slowly. After a moment, a soft, dark mineral dryness spreads throughout the palate.
Initially, juicy and full of fruit. Blackberry, black cherry and dark strawberry fill the palate. These delicious fruits are quickly joined by dry leather, dried fall leaves, sweetwood, dried cranberry and sweet brown spice. At the end, the subtle (but intriguing and delicious) flavor of pencil shavings appears, adding additional intrigue.
Juicy and ultra-long, with red fruit gradually yielding to earthy flavors of dried leaves, spice, minerals and black pepper.
What the Winery Says
And old vine Zinfandel legendary field blend from 100 year old vines from the Casa Santinamaria Vineyard on the western edge of Sonoma Valley near the base of Sonoma Mountain. The vines are head-trained, dry-farmed and spaced 8x8 yielding 1.3 tons of grapes per acre.
About the Winery
Random Ridge produces fine wines from vineyards pioneered by the Hawley family in the Mayacamas mountains of Napa County, California. We also write poetry, surf, and practice sustainable agriculture.
Random Ridge produces wines in very limited quantities from vines meticulously maintained to reflect the essence of the soils in which they grow. We are farmers first but will surf anytime anywhere. Our dedication in the vineyards naturally segues into traditional winemaking practices in the cellar. We strive to enable the fruit to develop its inherent Buddha nature to become wine of complexity harmony & passion.
