Landmarc
Tasted Wednesday, April 20, 2016 by MC2 Wines with 334 views
It's not often that back to back wine events (especially on school nights) is something that we do, but the opportunity to try some old Monte Bello which had been on my bucket list was too good to pass up. Daniel organized an excellent event with a good showing (about 43 people) including the wine maker of Ridge who gave us some thoughts on the bottles and just the winery in general (he'd started there back in '94 so was well versed).
Also always fun to meet some new wine people and we certainly had a lively table and conversation around wine.
In addition, there was a pre-course of 2014 Ridge Estate Chardonnay which was served with truffle butter braised spring vegetables.
Served with braised short rib lasagna.
Both interesting daily drinker wines. I preferred the Petite Sirah a bit more but that would generally need a bit more time to settle down.
Served with mustard crusted lamb chops with olive oil crushed potatoes + sauteed green beans
Preferred the Geyserville which was drinking quite nicely. Interesting to try the field blends which added a bit more character to the wine. Would love to try one of these aged. Seems like they have great potential.
Served with robiolo + old amsterdam cheese (honey + walnut raisin crostini)
Easy to see why the Monte Bello is the flagship wine - it's in a different league. And the aged versions are particularly special.
WOTN I think was clearly the '92 Monte Bello which was very impressive. We were recalibrating palette a bit from the big Rhone night the previous evening (a 14 year vertical of Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin), but overall I was impressed with the wines. Lots that are very reasonable with great aging potential (esp the Geyersville). A few that have the opportunity to be really special (the Monte Bellos). And clearly a place worth visiting the next time we're in California.
Also met some wonderful other wine folks which is always fun.
2013 Ridge Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
From one of the 40 Zinfandel sites that Ridge has collected over the years (this one located in Paso Robles). The wine is a bit hot and definitely more of a bright fruit. Raspberry, hints of spice, quick finish. The type of wine that was created to be had at a BBQ or something similar. Drank next to a Petit Sirah and I just liked the toughness of that one a bit better although this was very quaffable.
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2013 Ridge Petite Sirah Lytton Estate
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Big tannic beast especially being drunk side by side with the Ponzo Zinfandel that was poured. This is dark plum and wood. It opened up a bit in the glass over the course of many hours, but feels like it needs more time to be ready to drink (or a long decant). Bottle was opened about 2.5 hours before drinking so did get some slow ox.
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