Tonight with a dinner of mesquite-smoked chicken and "smothered" kale, Jean opened a bottle of:
2002 Ridge Ponzo Vyd Zinfandel nose: berries, oak, a hint of pencil lead and cedar palate: soft entry, rich fruit, just enough acidity
Jean served this wine to me blind and I guessed a Zin with 5-6 years of age on it, eventually settling on '01. I told her that it first reminded me of a Ridge Geyserville, but didn't have the structure. It was a lushly fruity wine and seems to be about as good as it's going to get. Paul Draper's notes indicate peak maturity from 2008-2010, and that seems to be about right. Very nice if not profound.
Mark Lipton