1990 Rodney Strong Old Vines River West Vineyard Zinfandel

[wondersofwine]

Just read Winecollector's note on the Cline Ancient Vines. Will have to look for that one. I'm also a fan of the Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage zin. Last night I opened this Rodney Strong Zinfandel from the Russian River Valley. It's estate bottled from 90-year-old vines. I don't know what I paid for it.
13.5% alcohol; purple with flashes of red under the light; nose of dark fruits, touch of pepper; on the palate prominent fruit with smooth tannins; still some grip and a slightly chewy mouthfeel; medium-length finish. Although from a vintage 12 years ago, it did not taste at all tired. It was a mature wine but still full of fruit. I think at least with zinfandel (and possibly with some Burgundies) you can tell if it's from older vines. It pays off in the flavor and impact. Wish I had more bottles. Also, I knew I had 1997 and 1999 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel in my collection, but in rechecking my inventory last night, discovered I also have one bottle each of 1992 and 1994 Lytton Springs. I could have a mini vertical!

[winecollector]

The 2000 Ridge Lytton Springs is another zin I've had recently, and I'm planning to pick up some more. It's right up there in quality with the Cline Ancient Vines, but it's a little more $moo-laa$ here in my neck of the woods... so I'll won't be stock-piling as much in the ol' cellar of it. I've had a few other Ridge zins as well... and I've noticed they all have varing percentages of syrah mixed in, and some with additional grapes as well.

Glad to hear your 90 Rodney Strong zin was good Wonders! I drank a 97' Fife zin from a friends cellar about a week ago... and the poor juice was tired- the alcohol was all there... but the fruit went a packing.

[wondersofwine]

I have fond memories of some Lytton Springs from the 80's. I wonder if they were 100% zinfandel grapes then? I'm not sure the addition of other grapes is an improvement. Still, I want to get hold of some Ridge Geyserville to try.

[winoweenie]

As I think I posted some years back (the memories' the 2nd thing to go) the old Lytton Springs 1977 was possibly the greatest zin of my experience. The best Geyserville I've personally had was the 78. WW I've never quite understood why Trentadue could produce such great grapes for Ridge and never made, IMHO, a great estate wine under their own lable. WW