With a dinner of venison-black bean chili and sauteed snap peas with
shi'itakes, we opened:

2001 Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel
nose: blackberries, cedar, oak and a hint of pepper, taking on more
cedar notes after it had been open for an hour
palate: lush fruit, medium body, good acidity, cedar, blackberry

This wine was sourced from 100% Zinfandel grown on the Dusi Ranch in
Paso (why it wasn't labeled Dusi Ranch, as some earlier bottlings were,
I don't understand). Not a profound Ridge Zin, but a damn good "fruit
forward" example and an excellent match with the chili.

Mark Lipton