The mostly old vines that make up our Teldeschi are Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah, a mélange typical of older vineyard plantings in California. The three varieties are fermented separately and blended to taste. Native yeast fermentation, small open-top fermenters, manual punching down of the cap, minimal processing, and aging in small French oak cooperage all contribute to a style that brings out the best of the vineyard - power and big flavors. Teldeschi Vineyard is always the highest quality of the Zinfandel vineyards that Ravenswood crushes from the Dry Creek Valley.

CONNOISSEURS GUIDE RATING: 95

CONNOISSEURS GUIDE REVIEW: 22% Petite Sirah; 2% Carignane. Nicely ripened blackberry first aromas are comfortably filled out by suggestions of red cherries, sweet oak, a touch of caramel and spicy background notes. Full-bodied on the palate with its suppleness running to a bit of flesh, but balanced quite well, this wine tightens up and finds structure figuring prominently in its latter half. Expect four to six years of growth at a minimum. It is made in the classic, sweet-berry, light spice mold of the Dry Creek Valley and is bound to entertain all but the most power hungry Zin fans.

STEVE TANZAR RATING: 93-94

STEVE TANZAR REVIEW: Deep ruby. Highly perfumed bouquet of black raspberry, apricot and potpourri expands with air and picks up a subtle tobacco quality. A real basket of fruits on the palate, offering flavors of plum, cherry, red and dark berries and exotic apricot and peach pit. The finish repeats the sweet red berry note and clings impressively. I'd drink this sexy wine on the young side, for its bodacious fruit character.