Wine Spectator – Replenish your Autumn Wine Cellar with Pagani & Ponzo

Wine Spectator

October, 2018

Wine Spectator‘s recent article, 10 Hearty California Reds at 90+ Points, recommends both 2016 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel and 2016 Ponzo Zinfandel as wines you’ll want to have on hand for the cool days ahead:

“Autumn is officially here. The days are getting shorter and the nights cooler, which means it’s time to replenish your red-wine supply. Today’s selection of California reds will keep you cozy for the months ahead, from focused and zesty Pinot Noir to dark and brooding Syrah; each wine scored 90 points or more in recent tastings.

Ridge checks in twice with two different styles of Zinfandel. Pagani Ranch dates back to the turn of the century. Its gnarly old Zinfandel vines are co-planted with Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Alicante Bouschet in Sonoma Valley, yielding a field blend–style Zin, with ample structure and a brooding presence. Ponzo, located just south of Healdsburg in Russian River Valley, is a cooler site, with vines between 25 and 65 years old. The wine shows zesty fruit flavors on a rustic frame.”

• 2016 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel – “Brooding and dense in structure, offering appealing if eccentric black plum, smoky licorice and spice box flavors that finish with lively tannins.” 91 Points
• 2016 Ponzo Zinfandel – “An appealingly old-school Zin, offering gutsy, zesty raspberry, blueberry and spicy dill flavors that finish with slightly rustic tannins.” 90 Points

2016 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel

2016 Ponzo Zinfandel

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