This wine weighs in at 15%+ and after 14 years its starting to show its ripeness; There's a certain "sweetness" that's poking through but the fruit is still there and the wine is drinking nicely. I don't see much further positive development occurring so if you are still holding on to the odd bottle or three, I would recommend drinking up.
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This remains a young looking wine with candy apple at the rim extending in 1/4 inch and shading to an opaque core. A wine of 100% Zinfandel sourced from the Dusi Ranch. Rhubarb, brown surgar, coffee, vanilla, candy apple and rose dust. All of that comes through on the palate with the rose dust building as the wine opens. Ground cloves joins in from the mid-palate and courses through the finish. A very clean wine. Loads of sediment. 15.2% alc. With grilled beef burgers under Roquefort blue cheese. Recommended.
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A wine of 100% Zinfandel sourced from the Dusi Ranch. The high alcohol (15.2%) causes this to finish a tad hot. But before heading there, you fist have to get your head in this wine. Its rim is cranberry and its core is currant. The nose is full of brown sugar, bramble berry, blackberry, rhubarb and caramel. Nothing raisined here like in the first bottle back in 2011. The mouthfeel reveals a medium bodied wine showing bright, clean qualities on the palate. As the wine opens, it takes on a near jammy quality, but never expands beyond its original medium body. The finish assumes some black pepper aspects. Still throwing only a shadow of sediment holding fast to the shoulder of the bottle. With pork BBQ from the BBQ Exchange; absolutely kick’n. Recommended.
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This bottle of Ridge is the only difficult one we've ever had in over 7 years of drinking Ridge wine. We called it the problem child. The wine tastes nearly like it is corked, yet it is not corked, and it did not want to open up. Tasted more like a merlot than a zinfandel - vegetal. We even decanted the bottle and it didn't help very much. Disappointing. Bottle shock? We have another bottle we'll try in a couple of years.
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Super big fruit but unlike other tasting notes didn't feel like it was over the top. A bit one dimensional and lacking the complexion of most Ridges, but would drink again with pleasure. Popped and poured and it was best immediately out of the bottle. A crowd pleaser, but was over shadowed by a Linne Calodo Nemesis we opened later.
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A wine of 100% Zinfandel sourced from the Dusi Ranch. If ‘05 was a hot year, then that would help explain the rather raisined quality of this wine. While the alcohol is high at 15.2%, it does not seem out of balance. Loads of rhubarb, zin fruit, blackberry, smoke, and roasted black fruit on the nose of the wine. But as the wine opens, the raisined aspect begins to overpower the wine. It stands up well to the smoked pork ribs and fix’ns, but on its own or with other foods, I don’t know if I could continue with this. Hopefully, this is just bottle variation. Another data point is needed. A shadow of sediment holds fast to the shoulder of the bottle. Recommended, but leaning toward Recommended with reservations.
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Garnet color, lighter than expected, with a strong ripe fruit nose. Initial funk blew off after 10 minutes and the fruit opened to a black cherry with lots of spice, primarily pepper, made this an excellent match to some spicy Thai dishes. Also noted chocolate. Nicely balanced tannins and a medium finish. Fruit turned a little harsh after 90 minutes.
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Deep ruby color. Complex, changing profile, started as more fruity, ended up earthier. Flavors of dry black fruit, tobacco leaf, mocha, spices, good acid spine on the palate. Definitely ready to drink now.
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Deep ruby color. Didn't take notes on this wine, but it seemed to be displaying some tertiary aromas like tobacco along with the fruit and medium weight body. Very nice Ridge, time to drink.
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Popped and poured. Very dark color. Fruit bomb on the nose with a hint of allspice. Candied fruit on the palate, over the top and very one dimensional. Retsrained use of oak. Finish was alright. Decent wine for what it is, but not a great QPR. Would not purchase again.
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I'm a sucker for this wine. It is atypical for a Zin, but this is a taste that I seek out and rarely find. Overwhelming cigar-box flavor integrated with dark cherry, and a big mouthfeel. i've only had it simialr to this in the old Calera (early 90s) Pinots, and it is very striking. To find it in a wine with this QPR is exciting. Looks liike a controversial wine from other's TNs; some loving and some hating. I love.
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Decanted for 1.5 hours. Dark purple color. Nose of dark ripe fruits, a hint of smoke a bit of acetone. Similar flavors on the palate with a lot of ripe berry jam flavors coming through. Medium acidity and tannins, medium to long finish make this an interesting wine. Will age remaining bottle for 1-2 years.
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Chocolatey feel, cherries (damn, I always write cherries don't I?) with an excellenmt balance of fruit, acid and tannin. A lengthy finish in to 30+ second range, nice colour. What's not to like? Well, a tad pricey but worth it as long as it's not my every day dri nker.
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Something almost minterally on the nose, but heaps of fruit, very cherry. Not loads of tannin but enough, but none-the-less very good. Bit of that chocolately thing going on.
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Something was a little off on this bottle. Typically this is smooth and rich and the fruit blends in with a great spiciness, but this time out I got no spiciness and it just seemed clumsy. There was a definite green-ness to it as well. I am thinking this bottle may have been slightly corked, but not so bad that it was undrinkable. Still one of the best Zins I have had.
Entirely Zin (vs. Ridge’s other mixes), this has the familiar Zin nose, but also brings a tobacco and a bit of a grassy, yerba matte tea/vegetal taste with it. Not as nice as Geyserville or York Valley.
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Same score as my previous note. I haven't had this one in awhile now so it was interesting to see if it still holds up, and man does it ever! I am not a Zin drinker for the most part, but I think that's why I love this so much. While it has a lot of those jammy Zin qualities, there is a complexity of flavors that I just have never found in other Zin's. Great big gobs of fruit and spice do a really great job hiding the alcohol as well. It's just a really fun wine to drink.
extra point just for its intensity and uniqueness; tastes just like one of Aunt Tiny's blackberry or huckleberry pies. i get the cinnamon/clove and orange peel on the nose. pretty rich zin
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Smells like candies. Nose is very sweet and smells extracted, blueberries and cinnamon, very intense candy nose. The mouthfeel is not extracted, and is surprisingly soft and light. Alcohol could be better integrated, but overall this is a great pop and pour.
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Big wine, very unique. I don't see it anywhere else but all I could pick up on this wine was blood orange, although I suppose this is consistent with those that say this is not necessarily zin like. It was the first red I have ever had with such a strong overwhelming citrus component. A bit of oak that was integrated nicely. Very bold. Good structure. Interesting contrast to the Delas Cotes du Rhone I had with dinner.
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taste: this is really confusing me. If this was blind, I'd be very confused as it doesn't have the viscosity of sauternes, but has a lot of the flavors with apricots, honey, and caramel along with some cherry and spices
overall: odd, but I dig it. Just very surprising to see this kind of zin. Very different from what I expected
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Decanted but still a little tight, tannic and young. Wait a year or two. Nice spice, cidery aroma and taste like everyone is saying, but the tannins are black tea-ish and it needs time.
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Thursday Night 5 for $5 (The Grapevine - Pocatello, ID): Deep ruby color, with moderate nose of blackberry jam, oak and some funky earth. Medium heavy body, smooth acid and high silky tannins. Powerful flavors of blackberry tart, tobacco, spice and bramble. Long finish with wonderful balance and fruit focus. Showing some heat late in the finish. Damn nice.
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Much better than the last bottle. This time I got a bunch of red berries on the nose with a lot of spice. Medium/Silky body in the mouth with a great finish. I don't know how much potential this has for ageing, but right now it's a good bottle of wine.
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Nose of big baking spice, almost a pickle type of aroma, vanilla, black pepper... Great mouthfeel, nice texture, balanced, a hint of old vine/late harvest ripeness, long flavor, no reason to think there's any hurry. Keep in mind this was sweeter and riper than I expected as well.
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With beef ribs. Showed better with air, pleasing red cherry with a little briar-patch thrown in. Nothing spectacular, was expecting more from a Dusi Ranch.
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Didn't get the sweet as other reviews have mentioned. Only got the tart. Also not concentated in the least. I would say a really poor showing for Ridge. I have noticed that wines have become middle of the road to weak with the new winemaker. I hope he doesn't screw up the Monte Bello.
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Plenty of fruit with raspberry and a hint of something tropical on the nose. Too hot on the finish for me. Perhaps a bit more time in bottle will help.
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Someone I know called this a "slutty" Zin and I couldn't agree more. This attacks you with fruit and spice and everything in between, but finishes long and smooth. I feel like most Zins I have tasted lately are all so similar, but this one stands out above the rest.
Not great by any means. Fruit Forward, but a little too sweet, yet Tart at the same time if that makes any sense. It was a little Flabby, definitely not concentrated. I usually love Ridge, but this was definitely not their best effort.
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Popped and poured. Nice dark purple color. Very fruit forward with nice berry/spicy on the nose and palate balanced with fine tannins. Nice finish. A little hot at first but this blew off with air time. Went well with brats, burgers, and on its own. Looking forward to the next bottle.
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Excellent solid Zinfandel. Full bodied with tons of wonderful spicy cherry fruit with well integrated tannins. Only complaint is that it was a tad too sweet for my palate but that's expected with some Zins.
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nose: mulled cider. It smelled like "Christmas Morning," or maybe just like grandma's spice cake in the oven, with you and the family drinking Cinnamon Schnapps while it bakes. Palate was sweet and spicy. Very interesting. I enjoyed it, others hated it for being too sweet. Can't imagine what food it would go well with, though (besides a candy cane). Also, for the price, I'd seek out a more 'serious' wine, but if you have a chance to get a whiff of that nose without a $20+ price tag, I say go for it.
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8/9/2019 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 88 Points
This wine weighs in at 15%+ and after 14 years its starting to show its ripeness; There's a certain "sweetness" that's poking through but the fruit is still there and the wine is drinking nicely. I don't see much further positive development occurring so if you are still holding on to the odd bottle or three, I would recommend drinking up.
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7/31/2017 - bherbst4114 wrote: 89 Points
Drank when it was past prime
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4/2/2017 - timewithwine wrote:
This remains a young looking wine with candy apple at the rim extending in 1/4 inch and shading to an opaque core. A wine of 100% Zinfandel sourced from the Dusi Ranch. Rhubarb, brown surgar, coffee, vanilla, candy apple and rose dust. All of that comes through on the palate with the rose dust building as the wine opens. Ground cloves joins in from the mid-palate and courses through the finish. A very clean wine. Loads of sediment. 15.2% alc. With grilled beef burgers under Roquefort blue cheese. Recommended.
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4/5/2015 - DSP wrote:
Some VA on opening, but it blew off relatively quickly to reveal red plummy zin fruit, with some drying tannins on the finish. Nice aged zin.
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4/26/2014 - timewithwine wrote:
A wine of 100% Zinfandel sourced from the Dusi Ranch. The high alcohol (15.2%) causes this to finish a tad hot. But before heading there, you fist have to get your head in this wine. Its rim is cranberry and its core is currant. The nose is full of brown sugar, bramble berry, blackberry, rhubarb and caramel. Nothing raisined here like in the first bottle back in 2011. The mouthfeel reveals a medium bodied wine showing bright, clean qualities on the palate. As the wine opens, it takes on a near jammy quality, but never expands beyond its original medium body. The finish assumes some black pepper aspects. Still throwing only a shadow of sediment holding fast to the shoulder of the bottle. With pork BBQ from the BBQ Exchange; absolutely kick’n. Recommended.
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4/14/2012 - WineAggregate Likes this wine: 89 Points
Luscious zin, out in the open air of the Columbia Gorge. A bit sweet, but loaded with vanilla blackberry jamminess.
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3/31/2012 - dbarco wrote: 86 Points
Complex, interesting and enjoyable when opened and then next day, but then deteriorated more quickly than I'd hoped.
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2/1/2012 - Rich S wrote: flawed
Flawed. This bottle also had a volatile acidity issue going on but it was much more evident than my last bottle and rendered the wine undrinkable.
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8/20/2011 - taniamk wrote: 80 Points
This bottle of Ridge is the only difficult one we've ever had in over 7 years of drinking Ridge wine. We called it the problem child. The wine tastes nearly like it is corked, yet it is not corked, and it did not want to open up. Tasted more like a merlot than a zinfandel - vegetal. We even decanted the bottle and it didn't help very much. Disappointing. Bottle shock? We have another bottle we'll try in a couple of years.
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7/15/2011 - vinoballo wrote: 90 Points
Super big fruit but unlike other tasting notes didn't feel like it was over the top. A bit one dimensional and lacking the complexion of most Ridges, but would drink again with pleasure. Popped and poured and it was best immediately out of the bottle. A crowd pleaser, but was over shadowed by a Linne Calodo Nemesis we opened later.
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5/21/2011 - timewithwine wrote:
A wine of 100% Zinfandel sourced from the Dusi Ranch. If ‘05 was a hot year, then that would help explain the rather raisined quality of this wine. While the alcohol is high at 15.2%, it does not seem out of balance. Loads of rhubarb, zin fruit, blackberry, smoke, and roasted black fruit on the nose of the wine. But as the wine opens, the raisined aspect begins to overpower the wine. It stands up well to the smoked pork ribs and fix’ns, but on its own or with other foods, I don’t know if I could continue with this. Hopefully, this is just bottle variation. Another data point is needed. A shadow of sediment holds fast to the shoulder of the bottle. Recommended, but leaning toward Recommended with reservations.
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5/4/2011 - Diane (LI) wrote:
Ruined by VA. Too bad because underneath was something good.
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4/21/2011 - vine20 wrote: 90 Points
Garnet color, lighter than expected, with a strong ripe fruit nose. Initial funk blew off after 10 minutes and the fruit opened to a black cherry with lots of spice, primarily pepper, made this an excellent match to some spicy Thai dishes. Also noted chocolate. Nicely balanced tannins and a medium finish. Fruit turned a little harsh after 90 minutes.
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10/24/2010 - AlexHop wrote: 88 Points
Not very elegant- fine, but a little over-ripe tasting.
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7/15/2010 - jeffal66 wrote: 87 Points
Less dimensional than I've experienced with other Ridge bottles. Serviceable, big, grapey. A fine Zinfandel, just nothing overly special.
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6/27/2010 - corkscrews wrote: 88 Points
A solid Zin, cherries, spice with well integrated oak, consistent wine producer.
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2/5/2010 - dougsmith wrote: 91 Points
Deep ruby color. Complex, changing profile, started as more fruity, ended up earthier. Flavors of dry black fruit, tobacco leaf, mocha, spices, good acid spine on the palate. Definitely ready to drink now.
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10/19/2009 - dougsmith wrote: 90 Points
Deep ruby color. Didn't take notes on this wine, but it seemed to be displaying some tertiary aromas like tobacco along with the fruit and medium weight body. Very nice Ridge, time to drink.
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9/18/2009 - MagnumGourmet wrote:
Popped and poured. Very dark color. Fruit bomb on the nose with a hint of allspice. Candied fruit on the palate, over the top and very one dimensional. Retsrained use of oak. Finish was alright. Decent wine for what it is, but not a great QPR. Would not purchase again.
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8/9/2009 - Winevestor wrote: 93 Points
I'm a sucker for this wine. It is atypical for a Zin, but this is a taste that I seek out and rarely find. Overwhelming cigar-box flavor integrated with dark cherry, and a big mouthfeel. i've only had it simialr to this in the old Calera (early 90s) Pinots, and it is very striking. To find it in a wine with this QPR is exciting. Looks liike a controversial wine from other's TNs; some loving and some hating. I love.
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6/24/2009 - ogres3 wrote:
2009 Hilton Head. Good.
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5/17/2009 - Rich S wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hours. Dark purple color. Nose of dark ripe fruits, a hint of smoke a bit of acetone. Similar flavors on the palate with a lot of ripe berry jam flavors coming through. Medium acidity and tannins, medium to long finish make this an interesting wine. Will age remaining bottle for 1-2 years.
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5/6/2009 - Jezza wrote: 90 Points
Chocolatey feel, cherries (damn, I always write cherries don't I?) with an excellenmt balance of fruit, acid and tannin. A lengthy finish in to 30+ second range, nice colour. What's not to like? Well, a tad pricey but worth it as long as it's not my every day dri nker.
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5/2/2009 - ews3 wrote: 90 Points
Philadelphia Wine Festival (Marriott, Philadelphia PA): I enjoyed this -- chocolate and black pepper notes with a nice sweet spice / clove underlying it. medium length finish is pleasant and alcohol is balanced.
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4/11/2009 - Jezza wrote: 89 Points
Something almost minterally on the nose, but heaps of fruit, very cherry. Not loads of tannin but enough, but none-the-less very good. Bit of that chocolately thing going on.
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3/13/2009 - jrlamia wrote: 86 Points
Not as well integrated as past Paso Robles. Needed time in the glass to soften enough to be enjoyable. Tart, pungently sweet.
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2/1/2009 - rayphillips wrote: 80 Points
Some fermentation happened in the bottle.
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1/12/2009 - eleanor wrote: 85 Points
Heavily extracted wine, with Paso fruit notes somewhat overrich. Alcohol dominates and acidity could be higher.
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1/1/2009 - ogres3 wrote:
bonaire 2008
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12/22/2008 - biggwater wrote: 95 Points
Elegant, deep, luscious, purple, ready to drink, 100% Dusi ranch (see turley as well)
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11/2/2008 - dbarco wrote: 90 Points
Very fruity, big zin with lots of blackberry, moderate acidity and tannin structure.
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9/23/2008 - spsong wrote: 80 Points
zin. zin. zin. perhaps good match with meat. something that can offset this tannin.
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9/17/2008 - jhannah27 wrote:
Something was a little off on this bottle. Typically this is smooth and rich and the fruit blends in with a great spiciness, but this time out I got no spiciness and it just seemed clumsy. There was a definite green-ness to it as well. I am thinking this bottle may have been slightly corked, but not so bad that it was undrinkable. Still one of the best Zins I have had.
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8/15/2008 - Gargantua wrote: 85 Points
Entirely Zin (vs. Ridge’s other mixes), this has the familiar Zin nose, but also brings a tobacco and a bit of a grassy, yerba matte tea/vegetal taste with it. Not as nice as Geyserville or York Valley.
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5/30/2008 - jhannah27 wrote:
Same score as my previous note. I haven't had this one in awhile now so it was interesting to see if it still holds up, and man does it ever! I am not a Zin drinker for the most part, but I think that's why I love this so much. While it has a lot of those jammy Zin qualities, there is a complexity of flavors that I just have never found in other Zin's. Great big gobs of fruit and spice do a really great job hiding the alcohol as well. It's just a really fun wine to drink.
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5/10/2008 - Dr_Bob wrote: 91 Points
extra point just for its intensity and uniqueness; tastes just like one of Aunt Tiny's blackberry or huckleberry pies. i get the cinnamon/clove and orange peel on the nose.
pretty rich zin
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5/2/2008 - jl55378008 wrote:
Smells like candies. Nose is very sweet and smells extracted, blueberries and cinnamon, very intense candy nose. The mouthfeel is not extracted, and is surprisingly soft and light. Alcohol could be better integrated, but overall this is a great pop and pour.
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2/29/2008 - klmarshall wrote: 88 Points
Less hot. Good, but a bit edgy.
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2/2/2008 - ghnye wrote: 88 Points
Big wine, very unique. I don't see it anywhere else but all I could pick up on this wine was blood orange, although I suppose this is consistent with those that say this is not necessarily zin like. It was the first red I have ever had with such a strong overwhelming citrus component. A bit of oak that was integrated nicely. Very bold. Good structure. Interesting contrast to the Delas Cotes du Rhone I had with dinner.
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1/27/2008 - steinni wrote: 78 Points
ehhh... very strange, does not taste at all like a Zin.
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1/26/2008 - KeithAkers wrote: 87 Points
Binny's winter warm up (Binny's Highland Park, highland park IL): nose: bold. getting some very odd notes for a zin, almost sauternes like to be honest. Getting apricot and honey aspects along with spices, cherry, and anise
taste: this is really confusing me. If this was blind, I'd be very confused as it doesn't have the viscosity of sauternes, but has a lot of the flavors with apricots, honey, and caramel along with some cherry and spices
overall: odd, but I dig it. Just very surprising to see this kind of zin. Very different from what I expected
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1/25/2008 - swamibear wrote: 88 Points
Decanted but still a little tight, tannic and young. Wait a year or two. Nice spice, cidery aroma and taste like everyone is saying, but the tannins are black tea-ish and it needs time.
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1/24/2008 - J_Hayden wrote: 90 Points
Thursday Night 5 for $5 (The Grapevine - Pocatello, ID): Deep ruby color, with moderate nose of blackberry jam, oak and some funky earth. Medium heavy body, smooth acid and high silky tannins. Powerful flavors of blackberry tart, tobacco, spice and bramble. Long finish with wonderful balance and fruit focus. Showing some heat late in the finish. Damn nice.
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1/13/2008 - yonster24 wrote: 89 Points
Much better than the last bottle. This time I got a bunch of red berries on the nose with a lot of spice. Medium/Silky body in the mouth with a great finish. I don't know how much potential this has for ageing, but right now it's a good bottle of wine.
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1/13/2008 - CO CHRIS wrote: 89 Points
Nose of big baking spice, almost a pickle type of aroma, vanilla, black pepper...
Great mouthfeel, nice texture, balanced, a hint of old vine/late harvest ripeness, long flavor, no reason to think there's any hurry. Keep in mind this was sweeter and riper than I expected as well.
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1/13/2008 - spacewrangler wrote: 88 Points
With beef ribs. Showed better with air, pleasing red cherry with a little briar-patch thrown in. Nothing spectacular, was expecting more from a Dusi Ranch.
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12/25/2007 - JonGray wrote:
good - ripr, alittle uneven
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9/7/2007 - JoshuaG wrote: 86 Points
Didn't get the sweet as other reviews have mentioned. Only got the tart. Also not concentated in the least. I would say a really poor showing for Ridge. I have noticed that wines have become middle of the road to weak with the new winemaker. I hope he doesn't screw up the Monte Bello.
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8/30/2007 - klmarshall wrote: 89 Points
Plenty of fruit with raspberry and a hint of something tropical on the nose. Too hot on the finish for me. Perhaps a bit more time in bottle will help.
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8/6/2007 - jhannah27 wrote: 92 Points
Someone I know called this a "slutty" Zin and I couldn't agree more. This attacks you with fruit and spice and everything in between, but finishes long and smooth. I feel like most Zins I have tasted lately are all so similar, but this one stands out above the rest.
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7/28/2007 - yonster24 wrote: 85 Points
Not great by any means. Fruit Forward, but a little too sweet, yet Tart at the same time if that makes any sense. It was a little Flabby, definitely not concentrated. I usually love Ridge, but this was definitely not their best effort.
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6/23/2007 - green-steve wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured. Nice dark purple color. Very fruit forward with nice berry/spicy on the nose and palate balanced with fine tannins. Nice finish. A little hot at first but this blew off with air time. Went well with brats, burgers, and on its own. Looking forward to the next bottle.
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6/6/2007 - cmr wrote: 90 Points
Excellent solid Zinfandel. Full bodied with tons of wonderful spicy cherry fruit with well integrated tannins. Only complaint is that it was a tad too sweet for my palate but that's expected with some Zins.
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5/23/2007 - tarheel17 wrote: 89 Points
nose: mulled cider. It smelled like "Christmas Morning," or maybe just like grandma's spice cake in the oven, with you and the family drinking Cinnamon Schnapps while it bakes. Palate was sweet and spicy. Very interesting. I enjoyed it, others hated it for being too sweet. Can't imagine what food it would go well with, though (besides a candy cane). Also, for the price, I'd seek out a more 'serious' wine, but if you have a chance to get a whiff of that nose without a $20+ price tag, I say go for it.
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