Ridge 2008 Mazzoni Home Ranch 750ml

"50% Zinfandel, 49% Carignane and 1% Petite Sirah.  These century-old vines-head-pruned, and planted as a field blend-receive no irrigation. They rely on rainfall trapped in the rocky sub-soil. The vineyard was stressed by California's second drought year, but a mild summer kept the vines from shutting down. The grapes, wonderfully concentrated, were picked early, at the start of September. Berry size was unusually small, producing a deep-colored wine of intense flavor. Fermentation was brief, and we pressed early to keep tannins in balance. We chose several carignane-dominant blocks, combining them with blocks comprised mainly of zinfandel. The wine aged in seasoned American oak barrels for sixteen months, and was racked off its sediment quarterly, for natural clarification. This excellent vintage displays the dimension of flavor typical of wines from field-blend vineyards. It will be at its best over the next seven to eight years."