Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County Red 2023 (750ML)

Three Valleys draws on vineyards in Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley and Russian River Valley, and sets out to capture a year rather than a single site. Made since 2001 at Ridge's Lytton Springs winery, it gets the same handling as the single-vineyard wines: native-yeast fermentation in open-top fermenters and aging in American oak, around 10% of it new in 2023. This edition is Zinfandel-led, with Carignane, Petite Sirah, Mataro and Alicante Bouschet in support, and the vintage gives it more grace and less rusticity than usual. Expect brambly black and blue fruit with a floral lift, graphite and licorice, vanilla and baking spice, all in a generous, rounded frame with lightly gripping tannins and a toasty finish. It is ready now, and critics give it until the early 2030s. Open it for barbecued ribs, a lamb burger or sausage pizza.