Ratings & Reviews
92 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:"Opaque
violet color. An intensely perfumed bouquet displays dark berry
preserves, cherry-cola, vanilla and woodsmoke. Lush, palate-coating
blackberry and boysenberry flavors are complicated by notes of licorice
and candied violet. Shows very good intensity on the gently tannic
finish, which clings with noteworthy tenacity." - Josh Raynolds (Nov/Oct
'11)
90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2008 vintage):"Another iconic site from Ridge, the 2008 Zinfandel York Creek (79% Zinfandel and 21% Petite Sirah, tipping the scales at 14.9% alcohol) displays plenty of boysenberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit notes, a healthy dark ruby/purple color similar to the other wines, but more earth, tannin, structure and grip. This is not as forward and elegant as the Lytton Springs, nor as exuberant and flamboyant as the Pagani Ranch. It is almost a Zinfandel with a Cabernet Sauvignon soul and structure. Give it another year or so of aging and drink it over the next decade." - Robert Parker (Feb 2011)
90+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2008 vintage):"Glass-staining ruby. Pungent, expressive aromas of blackberry, cherry pit, licorice and oak spices, with a hint of dried flowers. Juicy and focused but youthfully gripping, with a bitter quality to the distinctly ripe flavors of cherry compote, dark berries and licorice. The bitter cherry and oak spice notes repeating on the punchy finish. I'll bet that some bottle aging will bring more finesse. There's 21% petite sirah in this wine and it shows today." - Josh Raynolds (May/Jun '11)
90+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2007 vintage):"Inky ruby. High-pitched dark berry and cherry aromas show a slightly volatile quality. Deep, sappy blackberry and cherry-vanilla flavors display no rough edges and are complemented by a note of candied flowers. Rich and fleshy wine with strong finishing sweetness and a zesty kick of cracked pepper. This is extremely young but has very good material; I'd re-visit it after it's had a bit more bottle age." - Josh Raynolds (Nov/Dec '09)
Wine & Spirits Magazine - 93 Points (2006 vintage):"As saturated with fruit as this may be when first poured, it gains with
air as the potent structural elements of oak and alcohol begin to meld
into the ripe, black flavors of the wine. It’s powerful, yet gracefully
restrained by pure, mineral tannins. A sleek vintage from Fritz
Maytag’s York Creek Vineyard." -Joshua Greene (2/09)
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 90 Points (2006 vintage):"2006 Zinfandel York Creek (includes 1% petite sirah): Deep ruby with a
bright rim. Raspberry, cherry and cinnamon on the nose. Brighter than
the Paso Robles bottling, with nervier red berry flavors and notes of
vanilla and bitter chocolate. A medium-bodied zinfandel with fully
absorbed tannins and impressive finishing lift. Sexy wine, and drinking
well right now." -Stephen Tanzer (11/08)
