Note that some of these wines fall short of 75% Zinfandel, and couldn’t be sold as such today.
- 1978 Langtry Road (60% Zin, 30% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane; 14.6%) – Showing a floral-herbal bouquet, with jammy fruit and some lingering acidity. Group rank: 44.
- 1978 York Creek (100% Zin; 13.9%) – Typical Zinfandel nose, “boiled sweets” or candied cherries. Still lively and drinkable, this was my third-favorite of the flight. Group rank: 50.
- 1978 Shennandoah “Eschen Vineyard” (95% Zin, 5% Petite Sirah; 15.9%) – Sadly, this wine was corked. Group rank: 86.
- 1978 Paso Robles (95% Zin, 5% Petite Sirah; 14.6%) – Some oxidation, phenolic notes, and some mustiness in the nose. Group rank: 50.
- 1980 Ridge “Shennandoah – Esola Vineyard” (95% Zin, 5% Petite Sirah; 13.9%) – Dry, cedar-like nose, with a soft mouth-feel and a lingering finish. Still good, but should be drunk up quickly. Group rank: 50.
- 1980 Ridge “Langtry Road” (57% Zin, 33% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane; 13.4%) – My favorite of the tasting, with a cedar-vanillin nose, balanced mouth-feel, and typical Zinfandel fruit. Group rank: 36.
- 1980 Ridge “Geyserville -Trentadue Ranch” (100% Zin; 14.6%) – My second-favorite, with raisiny Zinfandel fruit and a surprising amount of acidity. As the wine opened up, these elements came into balance nicely. Group rank: 40.
- 1980 Ridge “York Creek – Spring Mountain” (90% Zin, 10% Petite Sirah; 13.9%) – Brambles and vegetation, with a pleasant finish, but not to my taste. Group rank: 49.