November 6, 2015 - Ridge Wine Vertical Dinner (Los Angeles, CA): Barely hanging on, but still present.
December 3, 2014 - 1980s Ridge Jimsomare Vertical: Color darkens up compared to the 82/83. Big aromas of red fruit, cigar box, maybe a touch of oak, glycerol. Big in the mouth, tannic, dry, big rich fruit. Seemed a bit simple compared to others, not as complex but has some promise. Almost seems a bit clumsy, not sure if time will calm this one down.
September 18, 2014 - Medium garnet-red color, pale-edged. Strongly herbaceous nose (The Monterey Vineyards cabernets, anyone ?): green bell pepper, haricot vert, canned asparagus, green olive, bay leaf, cedar, hint of cherry. On arrival, low-medium tannin and medium acidity. Flavors are appallingly vegetal, the asparagus flavor blankets the experience so heavily as to make any redeeming fruit character minimal. This bottle confirms a confluence of vectors all moving against the cabernet sauvignon grape and some farming and winemaking mistakes along the way: a very cool site, a very cool and dry vintage, a generous crop load, no old vines, and perhaps even unfavorable choices made at the selection table prior to crush. Surprising to me that even an experienced winemaker's hand at Ridge couldn't deliver more of a Chinon-like attractiveness in an otherwise highly regarded vintage in the North Coast. This could hardly be more different from the Monte Bello release of the same vintage. Bottle #2 of two.
November 3, 2013 - Based on other notes I am hoping that this is just flawed. Wine is from an estate sale of wines that were held onto for too long.
This was the second bottle, with high shoulder fill, and seepage between cork and capsule. Cork was a bit crumbly, The color had faded, aroma of faint fruit, slight green pepper and graphite. The taste was roasted meat, and not in a good way. I am holding out hope for the last bottle, with a mid neck fill, and no signs of seepage.
April 16, 2013 - Drank next to the Ch. Margaux 1985. Evolved but still deep red. Iodine, slate, dark berries in the nose. Very elegant but still with the necessary debth. Great wine. Drink now - 2015.
December 25, 2011 - Crumby cork... Shows an immediately expressive perfume of American oak, telltale Ridge. The oak however quickly settles down into a supporting role, letting the gorgeous cherry fruit take center stage. This is totally seductive, totally Ridge. The Drapier perfume puts in a good showing with mint-menthol and some caramel. The texture is silky, the approach elegant and clean, the palate light-to-medium bodied, this fully resolved 26 year-old is still going strong. There's sneaky depth and length here, but not much complexity. Actually reminded me in style and flavor of an '87 Geyserville I had recently, though this cab showed less strawberry.
June 5, 2010 - Jimsomare Vertical at The White House (The White House, Anaheim, CA): Leafy nose showing lots of 'green' type notes as well as some pencil lead/graphite. Nicely balanced but a bit straight forward. Could have used more depth and complexity but the fruit was rich. I like this style but I'm sure it would be called flawed by many today. Very good.
June 5, 2010 - 1985 Ridge Jimsomare Cabernet Sauvignon
A lot of green pepper and forest floor notes on the nose. The palate had mushrooms, earthy, and some lovely cherries and a touch of mocha at the start of the finish. A wonderful finish rounded out a solid bottle. 12.5% ABV
90 points
January 18, 1995 - LICORICE, DEEP FRUIT, AND A TOUCH OF SPICE IN THE NOSE WITH BLACKBERRY FLAVORS AND A MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.