The 2008 Carmichael Zinfandel is fully mature, at the stage when Zinfandel (even this one at 14.7%) starts to shed its boisterous, brambly fruit and segue into something more Bordelais. Mingling aromas of red berries and plums with notions of vanilla pod, cedar, forest floor and hints of coconut, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, with lively acids and a nicely integrated profile. Some drinkers will consider it to be on the downslope, and I wouldn't wait too much longer to drink up myself, but for me this is in a nice place.
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With grilled T-bone, roast potatoes and green beans. Crimson, good color to the rim, medium intensity. Blueberry and perhaps some black cherry nose. Medium weight, dry, muted tannin, acid for balance, medium length. A bit of plum on the palate, with black pepper and perhaps a touch of oak in the background.
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Ridge always seems to deliver good wines - this one the fruit is fading a bit and the oak is showing through perhaps stronger than some may like, nice sweetness without being too much , but nothing overpowering or disjointed. I think these are ready to drink.
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Medium-dark red color. Vanilla, currant, cherry, and raspberry aromas. Palate has sweet red fruit with enough freshness to keep this very engaging and easy to drink. Drink or hold.
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On opening (at room temp) and for the first evening, this was quite amazing. Very dark fruits and not really that much structure, but extremely tasty. After a day in the fridge, though, this was just really awkward, even after letting it come up close to room temp. I don't expect wines to be perfect on the second day, but more structured Ridge wines have usually held up pretty well.
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Paired with spicy pasta. Dark purple color. Mature fruit nose but not overly so. Smooth and bold. Not jammy or overtly spicy. Very nice balance of acidity and fruit. After tasting several vintages, this might bet favorite Ridge wine.
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Ridge tasting (Healdsburg, CA): Somewhat confected fruit on the nose, but a palate that didn't match at all -- it was quite peppery but light and with youthful acidity. Very light tannins.
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Dark purple, tooth-staining color. Full and rich and round blue berry fruit, cassis. In balance and not overly sweet. For me, this is the prototypical Ridge ATP Zin- perhaps a little sweeter and less elegant/structured than the Lytton/Geyserville, but very satisfying. Delicious.
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Opened up one hour before. Nice wine. A little hot on the nose initially, but it smoothed out a lot the longer it was open. Black fruit, molasses and brown sugar with a touch of allspice on the nose. Similar flavors on the palate with an added touch of vanilla on the finish. Niice structure with some tannins, a nice backbone and a pretty long finish. This is a nice zin that gives you the fruit without being thick and jammy. Ridge does a really good job making enjoyable Zins!
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Muted nose of currants; palate had dark, deeply extracted fruits; smooth and very integrated tannins balanced by some sweetness (not jammy); oak/vanilla notes noticeable but fit in well with this wine
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9/2/2021 - William Kelley Likes this wine:
The 2008 Carmichael Zinfandel is fully mature, at the stage when Zinfandel (even this one at 14.7%) starts to shed its boisterous, brambly fruit and segue into something more Bordelais. Mingling aromas of red berries and plums with notions of vanilla pod, cedar, forest floor and hints of coconut, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, with lively acids and a nicely integrated profile. Some drinkers will consider it to be on the downslope, and I wouldn't wait too much longer to drink up myself, but for me this is in a nice place.
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9/22/2020 - rhanke Likes this wine:
Very nice. Last bottle.
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2/24/2018 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Resolved tannins. Petit Syrah gives a nice complexity. Drinking really well.
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2/6/2017 - Bacchus NYC wrote: 91 Points
Beautifully integrated. Black fruit bramble and red fruit. After 30 minutes opens up nicely. Really nice juice!
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5/25/2015 - winemaker Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still drinking well. Not complex, but tasty.
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10/11/2014 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Can really taste the petit sirah. Very nice.
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8/31/2014 - bjschmitt Likes this wine: 90 Points
With grilled T-bone, roast potatoes and green beans.
Crimson, good color to the rim, medium intensity.
Blueberry and perhaps some black cherry nose.
Medium weight, dry, muted tannin, acid for balance, medium length. A bit of plum on the palate, with black pepper and perhaps a touch of oak in the background.
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4/17/2014 - dransford wrote: 90 Points
Ridge always seems to deliver good wines - this one the fruit is fading a bit and the oak is showing through perhaps stronger than some may like, nice sweetness without being too much , but nothing overpowering or disjointed. I think these are ready to drink.
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8/19/2013 - winemaker Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking well. Probably at peak.
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8/11/2013 - fredb Likes this wine:
Medium-dark red color. Vanilla, currant, cherry, and raspberry aromas. Palate has sweet red fruit with enough freshness to keep this very engaging and easy to drink. Drink or hold.
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6/12/2013 - missionpk Likes this wine: 88 Points
On opening (at room temp) and for the first evening, this was quite amazing. Very dark fruits and not really that much structure, but extremely tasty. After a day in the fridge, though, this was just really awkward, even after letting it come up close to room temp. I don't expect wines to be perfect on the second day, but more structured Ridge wines have usually held up pretty well.
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3/18/2013 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Needs to breath for 60=90 minutes. Opens into a nice floral nose with some muted cherry flavors. Better than average Ridge zin
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12/12/2012 - Cadby wrote: 92 Points
Another example of Draper balancing juicy with elegance!
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11/22/2012 - jrlamia wrote: 90 Points
Paired with spicy pasta. Dark purple color. Mature fruit nose but not overly so. Smooth and bold. Not jammy or overtly spicy. Very nice balance of acidity and fruit. After tasting several vintages, this might bet favorite Ridge wine.
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10/27/2012 - ogres3 wrote:
Bold spicy deep purple wine. Would hold up to spicy food. Nice Ridge zin.
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9/23/2012 - acyso wrote: 88 Points
Ridge tasting (Healdsburg, CA): Somewhat confected fruit on the nose, but a palate that didn't match at all -- it was quite peppery but light and with youthful acidity. Very light tannins.
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7/4/2012 - MusignyBlanc wrote: 92 Points
Dark purple, tooth-staining color. Full and rich and round blue berry fruit, cassis. In balance and not overly sweet. For me, this is the prototypical Ridge ATP Zin- perhaps a little sweeter and less elegant/structured than the Lytton/Geyserville, but very satisfying. Delicious.
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5/14/2011 - ShaneO wrote: 91 Points
Opened up one hour before. Nice wine. A little hot on the nose initially, but it smoothed out a lot the longer it was open. Black fruit, molasses and brown sugar with a touch of allspice on the nose. Similar flavors on the palate with an added touch of vanilla on the finish. Niice structure with some tannins, a nice backbone and a pretty long finish. This is a nice zin that gives you the fruit without being thick and jammy. Ridge does a really good job making enjoyable Zins!
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3/13/2011 - SWLS wrote: 91 Points
Muted nose of currants; palate had dark, deeply extracted fruits; smooth and very integrated tannins balanced by some sweetness (not jammy); oak/vanilla notes noticeable but fit in well with this wine
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2/20/2011 - palainalopaka wrote:
Peter drank one
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