This smacks of wood on the nose. The fruit is less than robust. It's still bright and fresh giving a strong Zinberry note on the nose. The palate is light bodied and red fruited. The structure or build of that fruit is less substantial than other vintages around it which tracks with what I remember about the other '08 Zins. The acidity is terrific as is often the case with the Jimsomare Zins. That wood kind of integrates with air but then becomes stronger over night. Instead of integrating with further cellaring I have to think the fruit just isn't dense enough to combat it. It's ok but you need to be less than judgmental and let it ride.
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A few bottles consumed this last year with huge variability. This was elegant, balanced, black fruit, prune, a hint of dill. Medium body. A very nice wine. Mature.
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14.3% abv. Medium dark ruby with moderately expressive aromas. Black cherry, raspberry and bramble on the palate. Excellent depth and delineation. Just now losing that rustic edge and moving into what should prove to be a long and very enjoyable drinking window.
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Rich scents of brown sugar, Zin funk, rhubarb and blueberry rise from the glass. Blueberry - ugh; it just isn’t what I want in a wine. The color is a deep blood-red. Maybe the palate delivers? Unfortunately, no; it tracks the bouquet quite well. The mouthfeel, however, is thin. The acid and alcohol are both out of balance. The finish is short. All in all, a disappointing wine. 100% Zin from the Monte Bello vineyard. Perhaps because of its source, expectations were set too high. Sediment has collected around the shoulder of the bottle. 14.3% alc. With pork BBQ from the BBQ Exchange. Recommended with reservations, but leaning heavily toward Not Recommended.
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14.3% alcohol. Medium dark ruby red. Attractive and expressive red and black fruit aromas. On the palate, black cherry, sage and emerging secondary notes. Very well mannered at this point in time. Not sure if this wine will continue to improve with aging.
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Overall enjoyable, but hampered by a bit of medicinal taste and bit much on the acidity. Nice red fruit with an underlay of earth and must that made it be "grounded".
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Toast, red fruits, vanilla and a touch of pepper. Modest length on finish. Not terrifically complex, but nice restrained old vine Zin. Fruits very fresh and plenty of acidity, so there is no rush.
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Muted nose suggests toast with raspberry jam. Toasty character on the palate with vanilla, baking spice and rich raspberry compote. A touch of acid on the finish along with a little tannic grip. Ready now but can stand a bit more time as well.
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One of the better Zin's from Ridge. Slightly medicinal on the nose with hints of dark red fruit. Dusty and musty, yet still fruity. Opened up as the afternoon went on. A very nice sipping wine.
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This wine was shy on day one and opened nicely on day two. Jimsomare is a notable ager ... I'm guessing this wine will continue to develop nicely for the next 7-10 years. Right now it shows great balance and even a little elegance. Very enjoyable.
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This Jimsomare was a little muted by Ridge standards but its acidity and slight degree of earthiness led to it being a great food wine. If you are looking for big, jammy Zinfandel, look elsewhere. I enjoyed the restraint and how much it complemented the meal. Very solid now but certainly will hold up for some years.
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100% Zinfandel from two small sections on lower Monte Bello Vineyard, one planted in the late 19th century. 14.3% alcohol. Dark ruby red. Expressive somewhat floral aromas. On the palate, some bright raspberry and black cherry with overtones of pepper and spice. Well balanced, lingering aftertaste. A beautiful old vine Zin from a cool climate vineyard. Wonderful!
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I was looking forward to this bottle and was a little disappointed. Muted fruit notes on the nose. Not a tannic wine, not a "fruity" wine, just old school structured zin. I was expecting more though.
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An iconic historic Zinfandel from the Santa Cruz Mts. 13 barrels produced. From two parcels, one planted in the 1880s and one planted in the 1990s.
14.3% alcohol. Dark ruby red. Red and black fruit aromas are just beginning to break through. Rasberry, blackberry, a little black pepper and spice on the palate. Well balanced, but with a noticable tannic and acidiic backbone. Made for the long haul. Lingering aftertaste.
I have five of these remaining. This will be an exceptional wine - I'll test again in 2012.
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Muted nose of toast and raspberry jam. Velvety on the palate with deep red jammy fruit flavors and some spice. Prominent but balanced tannins suggest it will age well. Drinkable now but should develop with age.
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3/29/2021 - WetRock wrote:
This smacks of wood on the nose. The fruit is less than robust. It's still bright and fresh giving a strong Zinberry note on the nose. The palate is light bodied and red fruited. The structure or build of that fruit is less substantial than other vintages around it which tracks with what I remember about the other '08 Zins. The acidity is terrific as is often the case with the Jimsomare Zins. That wood kind of integrates with air but then becomes stronger over night. Instead of integrating with further cellaring I have to think the fruit just isn't dense enough to combat it. It's ok but you need to be less than judgmental and let it ride.
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10/21/2017 - radumas wrote:
A few bottles consumed this last year with huge variability. This was elegant, balanced, black fruit, prune, a hint of dill. Medium body. A very nice wine. Mature.
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5/16/2016 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
14.3% abv. Medium dark ruby with moderately expressive aromas. Black cherry, raspberry and bramble on the palate. Excellent depth and delineation. Just now losing that rustic edge and moving into what should prove to be a long and very enjoyable drinking window.
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12/16/2015 - timewithwine wrote:
Rich scents of brown sugar, Zin funk, rhubarb and blueberry rise from the glass. Blueberry - ugh; it just isn’t what I want in a wine. The color is a deep blood-red. Maybe the palate delivers? Unfortunately, no; it tracks the bouquet quite well. The mouthfeel, however, is thin. The acid and alcohol are both out of balance. The finish is short. All in all, a disappointing wine. 100% Zin from the Monte Bello vineyard. Perhaps because of its source, expectations were set too high. Sediment has collected around the shoulder of the bottle. 14.3% alc. With pork BBQ from the BBQ Exchange. Recommended with reservations, but leaning heavily toward Not Recommended.
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4/11/2015 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking well. Relatively full bodied with a bit of heat at the end.
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1/11/2015 - brl75 Likes this wine: 89 Points
A bit thinner than other vintages I've had. Good, but doesn't have the stuffing for the real long term.
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7/23/2014 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 91 Points
14.3% alcohol. Medium dark ruby red. Attractive and expressive red and black fruit aromas. On the palate, black cherry, sage and emerging secondary notes. Very well mannered at this point in time. Not sure if this wine will continue to improve with aging.
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4/28/2014 - gjv115 wrote:
Pnp. Started dry and woody. After time was very good with chocolate and cherry. Might improve more with time.
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4/5/2014 - dbarco Likes this wine: 89 Points
Overall enjoyable, but hampered by a bit of medicinal taste and bit much on the acidity. Nice red fruit with an underlay of earth and must that made it be "grounded".
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3/15/2013 - wcchang wrote: 89 Points
Fresh fruits. Not as well layered and structured as I'd hope. Still enjoyable.
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3/9/2013 - yossarian.livez wrote: 87 Points
Toast, red fruits, vanilla and a touch of pepper. Modest length on finish. Not terrifically complex, but nice restrained old vine Zin. Fruits very fresh and plenty of acidity, so there is no rush.
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3/9/2013 - kosinski wrote:
Muted nose suggests toast with raspberry jam. Toasty character on the palate with vanilla, baking spice and rich raspberry compote. A touch of acid on the finish along with a little tannic grip. Ready now but can stand a bit more time as well.
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2/3/2013 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 88 Points
One of the better Zin's from Ridge. Slightly medicinal on the nose with hints of dark red fruit. Dusty and musty, yet still fruity. Opened up as the afternoon went on. A very nice sipping wine.
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1/27/2013 - moxielady wrote: 91 Points
Subdued but nicely balanced.
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1/15/2013 - Cadby wrote:
2008 Ridge Jimsomare Zinfandel $25 ++++
Dusty & masculine, better by the minute. Aging promisingly
http://8wordsonwine.blogspot.com/
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8/10/2012 - Mike Dildine wrote: 93 Points
This wine was shy on day one and opened nicely on day two. Jimsomare is a notable ager ... I'm guessing this wine will continue to develop nicely for the next 7-10 years. Right now it shows great balance and even a little elegance. Very enjoyable.
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5/29/2012 - petermpls Likes this wine: 90 Points
This Jimsomare was a little muted by Ridge standards but its acidity and slight degree of earthiness led to it being a great food wine. If you are looking for big, jammy Zinfandel, look elsewhere. I enjoyed the restraint and how much it complemented the meal. Very solid now but certainly will hold up for some years.
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4/26/2012 - Mike Dildine wrote: 93 Points
100% Zinfandel from two small sections on lower Monte Bello Vineyard, one planted in the late 19th century. 14.3% alcohol. Dark ruby red. Expressive somewhat floral aromas. On the palate, some bright raspberry and black cherry with overtones of pepper and spice. Well balanced, lingering aftertaste. A beautiful old vine Zin from a cool climate vineyard. Wonderful!
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3/11/2012 - H.W. Crabb wrote: 90 Points
I was looking forward to this bottle and was a little disappointed. Muted fruit notes on the nose. Not a tannic wine, not a "fruity" wine, just old school structured zin. I was expecting more though.
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11/4/2011 - moxielady wrote: 91 Points
A zinfandel with terroir. Reminiscent of South of France. Very tasty with pork loin.
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4/26/2011 - Mike Dildine wrote: 93 Points
An iconic historic Zinfandel from the Santa Cruz Mts. 13 barrels produced. From two parcels, one planted in the 1880s and one planted in the 1990s.
14.3% alcohol. Dark ruby red. Red and black fruit aromas are just beginning to break through. Rasberry, blackberry, a little black pepper and spice on the palate. Well balanced, but with a noticable tannic and acidiic backbone. Made for the long haul. Lingering aftertaste.
I have five of these remaining. This will be an exceptional wine - I'll test again in 2012.
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4/23/2011 - kosinski wrote:
Muted nose of toast and raspberry jam. Velvety on the palate with deep red jammy fruit flavors and some spice. Prominent but balanced tannins suggest it will age well. Drinkable now but should develop with age.
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