Ridge Vineyards 'Old School' Zinfandel 2006

Keith Robinson reviewed this wine as follows:

2006 Ridge Vineyards “Old School” Zinfandel

Price: $42.99

Availability: Extremely limited production and availability. Willow Park Wine And Spirits

Assessed by: Keith Robinson

Tasted: March 2014 at Willow Park's birthday tasting.

Product Details: Grapes sourced from four parcels of Ridge's Geyserville, Sonoma vineyard. 47 barrels produced. 83% Zinfandel, 15% Carignan, 2% Petit Sirah. Natural fermentation both primary and malolactic. Aged in American oak barrels for seventeen months. 14.6% Alcohol.


Since 1962 Ridge Vineyards has produced some of California's greatest Zinfandel based wines and one of the world's most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon based blends – the Ridge Montebello. The Old School was first produced in 2003, then-called “Independence School,” named after a two room school built in the 1870s and still standing. The four parcels of grapes used in the wine are located within the original school district.

The tasting: This wine pops. Berry fruit and spice jump in the palate. No sign of age on eye or mouth; if anything you want it to settle down. Unlike “fruit-bomb” Zinfandels, the 06 Old School has structure and grip along with powerful fruit. It is looking for something – food or you – to grab onto. It takes a minute or two to realize just how good this is.


Music Pairing: “Great Balls of Fire” Jerry Lee Lewis

When to drink: Drink with people and food that pop. Strong spicy food and strong spicy people. Gordon Ramsey's Spicy Lamb Shanks.