Ridge Three Valley's Red Blend

Ridge Three Valleys is a Zinfandel-based red from Sonoma County, California, made by Ridge Vineyards. It is a blend rather than a single-variety wine. Petite Sirah, Carignane and Mataro (the old California name for Mourvèdre) typically fill out the Zinfandel, and the other field-blend grapes change with the vintage. The wine is ripe and spicy, and it sits in the medium-to-full-bodied range. Zinfandel-led reds like this usually show brambly red and black fruit, such as raspberry, blackberry and plum. Black pepper and warm baking spice often sit alongside the fruit. Petite Sirah normally adds depth of color and firm, grippy tannin. Carignane tends to bring brighter acidity, and Mataro adds earthy, savory notes. Expect a structured, fruit-forward wine with moderate-to-firm tannin and enough acidity to keep the ripeness from feeling heavy. The finish is usually warm and peppery. At the table, it suits food with char, smoke and sweet-savory sauces. Barbecued pork ribs, brisket, grilled sausages and burgers with caramelized onions all work, because the fruit and spice match the glaze and the tannin cuts through the fat. Tomato-based dishes are a good fit too, including baked pasta, meatballs and pizza with cured meats, since the acidity keeps pace with the sauce. Hard, aged cheeses such as aged cheddar or Manchego are a simple pairing. Dishes with heavy chile heat can make a high-alcohol, tannic red taste hotter, so choose milder preparations. Serve it slightly below room temperature, at roughly 60 to 65°F (15 to 18°C). Twenty minutes in the refrigerator before opening usually gets it there. A warm bottle tends to emphasize alcohol and flatten the fruit. A standard red wine glass or a large Bordeaux-style bowl gives the aromatics room. If the wine seems tight or the tannin feels firm right after opening, pour it into a decanter for 30 to 60 minutes, or give it an hour in the glass. Most bottles don't need long aeration, and a short decant is usually enough. This is mainly a drink-now wine. Its appeal is in the ripe fruit and spice, which are most vivid in the first few years after release. The Petite Sirah and the structure of the blend mean a bottle kept for several years in a cool, dark place can develop savory, earthy tones as the fruit mellows. Check the vintage on the label and treat that holding time as a bonus rather than a requirement.