[TN] '07 Ridge 3 Valleys, etc.

While out on our recent West Coast swing, we picked up a few ready-to-drink wines and, unsurprisingly, drank them at various occasions.

Tonight, opened with a light dinner of carrot soup, Mimolette cheese and bread, we had:

2007 Ridge "Three Valleys" Zinfandel (76% Zin) nose: "Draper perfume," berries palate: rich, deeply fruited, moderately acidic

I picked this wine up after reading positive reports on the '07 Ridge portfolio on the Internet, including Old TomHill's statement that the '07 3 Valleys was the best version yet. Indeed, it is noticeably less oaky (though still clearly oaked) and has more of an emphasis on fruit. Still, it is less clearly delineated than we prefer and will take several years to integrate all that oak. Enjoyable, but nothing that I'd seek out.

2006 Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune ($22) nose: light, bright strawberry fruit, minerals palate: very light and thin initially, later fleshing out somewhat; brightly acidic

Very interesting rendition of Pinot Noir that veers to the lighter side of the spectrum. After an hour of air, it had taken on some flesh, but at all times was pleasureable and good with our food (braised shi'itakes with Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce and twice cooked pork).

2007 Chehalem INOX Chardonnay nose: lightly appley palate: dilute, crisply acidic

Over the years, I have been ambivalent about this wine. This year's edition seemed underfruited to me and inoffensive but not very interesting.

Mark Lipton