Deep dark center, red rim with only modest signs of age. Blackberries, toast, cream, lavender, some alcohol. Smooth up front, brandied cherries and blackberry jam, alcohol, modest tannins and acidity, some fresh herbs, a lot of fruit reduction on the finish. Drinking very well, will last for 3-5 more years. The highish alcohol is a distraction at the moment.
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Good depth for such a young wine. The nose is evocative of teatime, fresh scones with blackberry jam and copious clotted cream. Medium bodied, not overly jammy. Black fruits and orange peel, whisper of mulling spices. Tannins assert themselves at the finish, like sawdust. Some cherry and vanilla lingering
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Excellent wine. Opened without decanting. Drinking really well right now. Still had strong tannins for a little more aging, but I think I'll probably drink my last one this year since it's drinking so well at the moment.
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Juicy purple fruit with dark notes like tar and earth. Also a floral note that is very pretty. Typical Ridge bergamot and orange peel. Good touch of burnt walnut and acid on the finish. This has aged very nicely and is drinking great. I would have thought this was on its last legs, but really I think this will hold on for several more years. Drink by 2023? Very good!
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I believe this was decanted for at least a few hrs prior to tasting. Had side by side with the 18. To me this felt a little lackluster, was missing some freshness, had an intriguing but odd nose. Palate felt clunky, fruit felt ripe, a little warm, not a huge fan 86-87
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With turkey leftover enchiladas in tomatillo sauce. Janie got initial smell of yeast at cork check. Bottle is not corked but had unusual taste. We decanted, rebottled, decanted again. Look: ruby/crimson, some purple at rim. Smell: dark cherry (difficult to identify) -possible sour cherry, with undercurrent of olive (????). Taste: earthy, dry, acid with light, not much on the tannin front. Think this is on the down slope, lost its brightness. Not bad, but not as vibrant as initial bottle.
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Double decanted; Easy-drinking, enjoyable wine. Red fruit and plum. A bit of smokiness and a slight taste of oak; well balanced but nothing that lingers on the palate. There may be a benefit to another year or two (max) in bottle but this seems to be drinking well now.
Provenance: purchased directly from Ridge via ATP club. Stored at 55F from purchase to consumption.
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Popped and poured. Solid core of dark red berry fruit, hint of smoke and sweet spices. Similar flavors on the palate with a little pepper and just a bit of sweet oak poking through on the finish. Medium acid and tannin. Smooth drinking and enjoyable but not exciting.
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With stuffed pork chop and roast broccoli. Purple, opaque, looks young. Bright nose - red fruit. Earth on the palate, tannin and fruit on the front with acid sneaking in. Needed more air and perhaps a bit more time in bottle (although it was already throwing some sediment).
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Deep dark center, red rim with a little sign of age. Alcohol, gummy bears, wood, pepper and oregano. Plums and underripe raspberries, a little rough in the middle (wood), strong tannin, balsam, jammy finish. Difficult to know where this is going, certainly not drinking well now, seems like it will need a few more years.
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Dark ruby colored. Juicy black cherry soda flavors, dry with a slightly dusty finish. Somewhat simple, but that's wha it is. I'd drink soon for its fruit and early charm.
As it says on the back label, this is one of the riper versions of this wine to come along in a few years. The fruit has a pleasantly raisined quality to it, but it retains the acid characteristic of carignane. Very rich with an inviting nose of ripe red fruits and mellow spices. I think this would make a nice option at the Thanksgiving table. (88-89)
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Aroma: rather faint nose of garrigue, leather, blackberry, lavender and graphite. Palate: spicy blackberry with soft tannins and low to moderate acidity. Notes of garrigue, cedar, leather and roasted meat. Enjoyable now. Probably an early drinker.
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A more full bodied, richer than usual Buc Carignane. Smoke and tobacco, full rich almost pruned fruit. Vanilla, baking spices. A bit of acid for balance. Long finish a bit dark, bitter. Good as always, but I prefer some other vintages, this feels like a product of a hot summer. Wouldn't age this too long.
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Quite tight and rather harsh immediately after opening but softens up after an hour or two. Dark with some real tannins, leathery, dark berry flavors. I think this should cellar for a bit.
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3/21/2021 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 90 Points
See previous note.
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2/14/2021 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
As before. Aging nicely. Good now with some air.
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1/14/2021 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep dark center, red rim with only modest signs of age.
Blackberries, toast, cream, lavender, some alcohol.
Smooth up front, brandied cherries and blackberry jam, alcohol, modest tannins and acidity, some fresh herbs, a lot of fruit reduction on the finish.
Drinking very well, will last for 3-5 more years. The highish alcohol is a distraction at the moment.
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12/30/2020 - chandlerc@gmail.com wrote:
Good depth for such a young wine. The nose is evocative of teatime, fresh scones with blackberry jam and copious clotted cream. Medium bodied, not overly jammy. Black fruits and orange peel, whisper of mulling spices. Tannins assert themselves at the finish, like sawdust. Some cherry and vanilla lingering
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10/31/2020 - snsharma Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Highly tannic. Maybe needs a few more years to reach its potential. Scoring based on now.
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9/27/2020 - casjf Likes this wine: 89 Points
Black plum and leather flavors.
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9/19/2020 - Cinful1 wrote:
Only had one bottle to drink
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9/19/2020 - Cinful1 wrote:
Very tasty. From Ed’s wine club package. Yummy.
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8/20/2020 - aaronmphoto Likes this wine: 85 Points
Was ok. Nothing special.
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7/22/2020 - gudetama Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent wine. Opened without decanting. Drinking really well right now. Still had strong tannins for a little more aging, but I think I'll probably drink my last one this year since it's drinking so well at the moment.
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7/9/2020 - MRichman wrote:
Juicy purple fruit with dark notes like tar and earth. Also a floral note that is very pretty. Typical Ridge bergamot and orange peel. Good touch of burnt walnut and acid on the finish. This has aged very nicely and is drinking great. I would have thought this was on its last legs, but really I think this will hold on for several more years. Drink by 2023? Very good!
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6/3/2020 - gudetama Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking well. Opened without decanting. Smooth tannins, good acidity, typical Ridge Carignane. Will probably drink now rather than hold.
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5/18/2020 - casjf Likes this wine: 89 Points
Red plum & black pepper flavors.
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5/14/2020 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 87 Points
I believe this was decanted for at least a few hrs prior to tasting. Had side by side with the 18. To me this felt a little lackluster, was missing some freshness, had an intriguing but odd nose. Palate felt clunky, fruit felt ripe, a little warm, not a huge fan 86-87
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9/2/2019 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
we are big carignane fans and this one hits the spot!
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1/6/2019 - cmmatthews Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really improving and holds up well on the 2nd day. I think this one could hold for awhile though.
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12/14/2018 - bjschmitt wrote: 87 Points
With turkey leftover enchiladas in tomatillo sauce.
Janie got initial smell of yeast at cork check. Bottle is not corked but had unusual taste. We decanted, rebottled, decanted again.
Look: ruby/crimson, some purple at rim.
Smell: dark cherry (difficult to identify) -possible sour cherry, with undercurrent of olive (????).
Taste: earthy, dry, acid with light, not much on the tannin front.
Think this is on the down slope, lost its brightness. Not bad, but not as vibrant as initial bottle.
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7/26/2018 - alimack Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine is showing very nicely now. It still may improve over the next year or two.
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5/22/2018 - bronzoni wrote: 87 Points
Double decanted; Easy-drinking, enjoyable wine. Red fruit and plum. A bit of smokiness and a slight taste of oak; well balanced but nothing that lingers on the palate. There may be a benefit to another year or two (max) in bottle but this seems to be drinking well now.
Provenance: purchased directly from Ridge via ATP club. Stored at 55F from purchase to consumption.
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4/20/2018 - Rich S wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Solid core of dark red berry fruit, hint of smoke and sweet spices. Similar flavors on the palate with a little pepper and just a bit of sweet oak poking through on the finish. Medium acid and tannin. Smooth drinking and enjoyable but not exciting.
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3/8/2018 - Italiana Likes this wine:
Similar to previous bottle. A little thin, if tasty, the first day. Smoother and noticeably richer the second.
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2/10/2018 - ptm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite smooth and drinkable now - not sure much life is left, though more experienced tasters May differ.
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2/3/2018 - bjschmitt Likes this wine: 89 Points
With stuffed pork chop and roast broccoli.
Purple, opaque, looks young.
Bright nose - red fruit.
Earth on the palate, tannin and fruit on the front with acid sneaking in.
Needed more air and perhaps a bit more time in bottle (although it was already throwing some sediment).
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1/20/2018 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Better than previous bottle. Still has the opportunity to improve with age.
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12/19/2017 - pdadams66 wrote: 87 Points
Deep dark center, red rim with a little sign of age.
Alcohol, gummy bears, wood, pepper and oregano.
Plums and underripe raspberries, a little rough in the middle (wood), strong tannin, balsam, jammy finish.
Difficult to know where this is going, certainly not drinking well now, seems like it will need a few more years.
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11/14/2017 - Italiana Likes this wine:
Be sure to give this some air time. This bottle was much richer and interesting on the second day.
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2/10/2017 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pretty solid wine. A bit different, a muted zin style. Smooth, red and blue fruit, pleasant. Average finish.
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12/30/2016 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 90 Points
Balanced, well made, subdued fruit. Nice acid. Ready now.
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11/18/2016 - cos65 Likes this wine:
Dark ruby colored. Juicy black cherry soda flavors, dry with a slightly dusty finish. Somewhat simple, but that's wha it is. I'd drink soon for its fruit and early charm.
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10/20/2016 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Solid mid-ridge pounder.
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10/14/2016 - PNIELSEN Likes this wine: 88 Points
As it says on the back label, this is one of the riper versions of this wine to come along in a few years. The fruit has a pleasantly raisined quality to it, but it retains the acid characteristic of carignane. Very rich with an inviting nose of ripe red fruits and mellow spices. I think this would make a nice option at the Thanksgiving table. (88-89)
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9/15/2016 - CJM wrote: 87 Points
clear very deep garnet with no rim browning. Raspberry, chocolate, oak, vanilla. low acids, low tannins. white pepper. Short balanced finish.
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8/23/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 82 Points
Rustic, drying, harsh textures with sharp, crisp, bright red fruits and spice. This is clearly not my style of wine.
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6/3/2016 - kosinski wrote:
Aroma: rather faint nose of garrigue, leather, blackberry, lavender and graphite.
Palate: spicy blackberry with soft tannins and low to moderate acidity. Notes of garrigue, cedar, leather and roasted meat. Enjoyable now. Probably an early drinker.
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5/3/2016 - MRichman wrote:
A more full bodied, richer than usual Buc Carignane. Smoke and tobacco, full rich almost pruned fruit. Vanilla, baking spices. A bit of acid for balance. Long finish a bit dark, bitter. Good as always, but I prefer some other vintages, this feels like a product of a hot summer. Wouldn't age this too long.
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4/30/2016 - cmmatthews Likes this wine: 88 Points
Quite tight and rather harsh immediately after opening but softens up after an hour or two. Dark with some real tannins, leathery, dark berry flavors. I think this should cellar for a bit.
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