WTN: 1993 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah

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1993 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah, $40, 12.6% alc.: 69% of the grapes for this inky, almost opaque purple - black colored wine saw whole cluster fermentation, which Paul Draper says enhanced the fruit, added complexity and moderated the tannins, but this is still a chunky, chewy wine with a long life ahead of it. A hint of the barnyard is just one element that gives it a Rhone - like character, along with big earthy black currant and dark plum, a little smoke and a note of leather as it opens. There's also less of that "Draper perfume" than I would have expected, though just enough to I.D. this as a fine Mr. Ridge. Approachable? Yes, especially as it opens with air, but still, this wants another five years minimum to mellow and develop more complexity. Many thanks to Dan McDonald for this excellent Pettie Sarah.

More recent Ridge notes can be viewed in The Ridge Report, Tasting Notes from the Underground, The Gang of Pour.

Reporting from Day-twah,

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