This was reminiscent of similarly aged Bordeaux (library books, leather) if Bordeaux had wild berries on the nose and palate. Distinctively Californian, but with a foot planted firmly in the old world.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Raisins and currants on the nose. A little tar. Nice fruit with some tannins left. I think the tannins and acidity will help it last a while but I don't think there's anything to gain from waiting. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Purchased from the winery a few months ago. Cork was pristine if not a little brittle. Ridge must be storing these library wines right. Deep ruby with a garnet rim, my initial thoughts were that it smells and tastes like a warm berry pie. Red and dark fruits combine with earth and spices and the result is lovely. The acidity and tannin are in perfect harmony all the way through a medium finish
Decanted off of sediment. Now 2 h later. Hint of VA on nose with ripe dried blackberries and black cherries, hints of dark chocolate, earth, bark, and beef broth. Palate flavors followed the aromas. Medium bodied with an elegant mouthfeel. Nice acids keep this quite lively with mild tannins on the midpalate. Nice long finish of dried black fruits, bark and earth. Love these old Ridge zins, more so than in their youth. Excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP. Dark in color with hardly any bricking. Aromas and flavors of cassis, red fruits, spices, cocoa, earth, and tobacco. Complex, balanced, smooth, round, with a long finish. Tastes like a beautiful old-school cab blend. A great effort from a supposedly weak vintage. Drinking really well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A very nice surprise! Secondary, earthy, light red fruit. A touch of classical bordeaux in style. Oak is fully integrated. The wine is well round, good fruit on the palate and really alive and vibrant. Our first experience of a well aged geyserville and a great one too. 92-94 drinks very nicely at the moment.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
W yummy squash / hazelnut lasagna. Columbus day. This wine was actually pretty good but in the drink now phase. Good nose and color on palate it was pure aged zin. I am thinking though drink the Geyservilles within 8 yrs of vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Found at a random store in NM, covered in dust and likely stored at room temp. Moderate bricking. Lovely nose of ripe cherries, pumpkins spice, roasted nuts, and roasted fruits. Palate is smooth and integrated, with strong sweet red fruits with a tertiary component and sandalwood. Finishes with good length, just a hint of heat, orange peel, cedar spice, and cherry pit. Impressive Zin with great complexity. All at room temp too.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought a bottle to a New World tasting with friends. Paid eq. of 33 USD on release in 2001 and the wine has been stored in my (very cold) cellar ever since. Easily the wine of the evening: fought off some stiff resistance from younger and more expensive blockbuster Syrahs and Cabs.
In the glass there's blueberry juice at core; moving on to red plums and more mature tones at the rim. Nose is at first cool, then opening up blackberry aromas well integrated with savory herbs, a bit of cocoa, and a whiff of lactic sweetness. Deep and profound. Palate is perfectly balanced; a medium to full-bodied wave of ripe dark fruits leading onto tertiary spices in the finish. Perfectly balanced and v v elegant. Big but restrained. These Ridges never die. Forget about drinking window recommendations, if you have a good cellar they will keep and keep. Drink now - 2016.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
No tasting notes recorded. I've always been impressed with how well these Ridge wines tend to age. Back in 2001 I bought several cases of older Ridge direct from the winery (going back to the mid 80's). They have all held up impressively well even though for many, their best years were behind them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bottle disappeared quickly, so no chance to follow its progression. Very ripe and, surprisingly, still primary. Dominant fruit with some hint of secondary aromas sneaking through. Little Geyserville expression (no 'Draper perfume'). Shows surprisingly little sign of age though, for Geezers, I don't consider this a good thing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The tasting window had technically passed but this was still pretty darn good. Its an older wine so the spice has mellowed - had it with some pretty strong flavored foods and it may have been overpowered. Overall, a good wine and I'm glad I waited for a while. Patrons at our dinner liked it very much.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Geyserville Vertical (My House): nose: a little smoky, with darker fruit and olive aromas again (similar to the 1995) palate: thick mouthfeel, hefty in weight, this wine was "nice but plain" according to my scribbles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A blend of plums, cherries, and blackberries with a constantly shifting balance. Secondary flavors of earth, leather, and cocoa waxed and waned. Very pleasing and really at its peak 6 hrs after opening with shortribs braised in beef broth. Thank you, Mr. Draper.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lets see: underwhelming vintage + short lived varietal + questionable storage + 10 year old wine + Paul Draper = amazing. Very bordeaux in style with the primary fruit beginnning to fade a bit but the secondary cedar, cigar and dried cherry notes are great. This is starting to lean out and should probably be finished sooner rather than later but this was far from a disappointment. Really sad that this was my last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good expression of zinfandel. Have several bottles of 1998 & 1999 Ridge zins that need to be drank and this is the best so far. Kind of earthy with the heavier flavors of blackberries and blueberries. Good dark color, nice nose and acceptable finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle has been at my local store stored at 70 deg F since release. The color is plum like. The nose is Black Pepper, stewed plumbs and a hint of barnyard. On the attack I found sherry flavors that gave way to red sweet cherries and spice. The finnish was good with sweet leather components. This wine was at its best with food. I feel it would have been better if stored properly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
m: spicy, dusty, dried cherries, dried herbs/mint?, salami/deli counter, up front aromatics, definitely not fruit forward but tons of pretty aromas, dried flowers, hibiscus, rose hips, black pepper m: nice attack of dried black fruits, meaty, spicy, really nice texture, touch of sweet fruit on attack, nice zestiness, long, long, finish, good freshness to the wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A nice zin, but not ridge's best. When open still suprisingly young for an off year. Lots of fresh black fruit, but the vanilla not dominates. A very nice drink, but not exciting. Second day, wood flavors have faded leaving a fine zin.
After several days sealed in polycarbonate bottles, the wine has slipped now reminds me of nothing so much concord grape juice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I too detected Brett which increasingly I find distracting, even when relatively mild as in this case. Its noticeable on the nose and in the mouth. Once past this, you're welcomed to a solid core of blackberry and a wave of firm tannins
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
UK wine-pages Geyserville Vertical (London): A bit of taint on the nose - Brett?, but this grows on me and actually I rather warm to it. A rough leather sofa that doesn't look promising, but one can sink into in comfort.... ...and the dog likes sitting there too!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/20/2024 - jdp89 Likes this wine:
Outstanding, one of the wines of the night.
This was reminiscent of similarly aged Bordeaux (library books, leather) if Bordeaux had wild berries on the nose and palate. Distinctively Californian, but with a foot planted firmly in the old world.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2022 - jgh123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Raisins and currants on the nose. A little tar. Nice fruit with some tannins left. I think the tannins and acidity will help it last a while but I don't think there's anything to gain from waiting. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/27/2021 - anthozep Likes this wine: 93 Points
Purchased from the winery a few months ago. Cork was pristine if not a little brittle. Ridge must be storing these library wines right. Deep ruby with a garnet rim, my initial thoughts were that it smells and tastes like a warm berry pie. Red and dark fruits combine with earth and spices and the result is lovely. The acidity and tannin are in perfect harmony all the way through a medium finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (3)
4/17/2020 - affordableCollector wrote: 90 Points
brick red, in color. cherry, raspberry, cassis, earth, spice, tobacco. lively tangy cherry. lasting acidic finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/3/2018 - James Kim Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted off of sediment. Now 2 h later. Hint of VA on nose with ripe dried blackberries and black cherries, hints of dark chocolate, earth, bark, and beef broth. Palate flavors followed the aromas. Medium bodied with an elegant mouthfeel. Nice acids keep this quite lively with mild tannins on the midpalate. Nice long finish of dried black fruits, bark and earth. Love these old Ridge zins, more so than in their youth. Excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2017 - Casi Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still in perfect shape!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2013 - psrv wrote: 92 Points
PnP. Dark in color with hardly any bricking. Aromas and flavors of cassis, red fruits, spices, cocoa, earth, and tobacco. Complex, balanced, smooth, round, with a long finish. Tastes like a beautiful old-school cab blend. A great effort from a supposedly weak vintage. Drinking really well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2012 - Vandiner wrote:
I'm sure it was awesome - but no notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/18/2012 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
A very nice surprise!
Secondary, earthy, light red fruit. A touch of classical bordeaux in style. Oak is fully integrated. The wine is well round, good fruit on the palate and really alive and vibrant. Our first experience of a well aged geyserville and a great one too. 92-94 drinks very nicely at the moment.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2011 - MichielV wrote: 90 Points
W yummy squash / hazelnut lasagna. Columbus day. This wine was actually pretty good but in the drink now phase. Good nose and color on palate it was pure aged zin. I am thinking though drink the Geyservilles within 8 yrs of vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2011 - Nutty08 wrote: 92 Points
Found at a random store in NM, covered in dust and likely stored at room temp. Moderate bricking. Lovely nose of ripe cherries, pumpkins spice, roasted nuts, and roasted fruits. Palate is smooth and integrated, with strong sweet red fruits with a tertiary component and sandalwood. Finishes with good length, just a hint of heat, orange peel, cedar spice, and cherry pit. Impressive Zin with great complexity. All at room temp too.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2011 - Timbalimba wrote: 92 Points
Brought a bottle to a New World tasting with friends. Paid eq. of 33 USD on release in 2001 and the wine has been stored in my (very cold) cellar ever since. Easily the wine of the evening: fought off some stiff resistance from younger and more expensive blockbuster Syrahs and Cabs.
In the glass there's blueberry juice at core; moving on to red plums and more mature tones at the rim. Nose is at first cool, then opening up blackberry aromas well integrated with savory herbs, a bit of cocoa, and a whiff of lactic sweetness. Deep and profound. Palate is perfectly balanced; a medium to full-bodied wave of ripe dark fruits leading onto tertiary spices in the finish. Perfectly balanced and v v elegant. Big but restrained. These Ridges never die. Forget about drinking window recommendations, if you have a good cellar they will keep and keep. Drink now - 2016.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2010 - nahoj wrote:
Saved this a bit too long, very light with some alcohol coming through not so much fruit anymore.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2010 - Mark wrote: 89 Points
No tasting notes recorded. I've always been impressed with how well these Ridge wines tend to age. Back in 2001 I bought several cases of older Ridge direct from the winery (going back to the mid 80's). They have all held up impressively well even though for many, their best years were behind them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2010 - indiscriminate palate wrote: 87 Points
Bottle disappeared quickly, so no chance to follow its progression. Very ripe and, surprisingly, still primary. Dominant fruit with some hint of secondary aromas sneaking through. Little Geyserville expression (no 'Draper perfume'). Shows surprisingly little sign of age though, for Geezers, I don't consider this a good thing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2009 - samchuck wrote: 90 Points
Drinking great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2009 - Breguet wrote: 89 Points
The tasting window had technically passed but this was still pretty darn good. Its an older wine so the spice has mellowed - had it with some pretty strong flavored foods and it may have been overpowered. Overall, a good wine and I'm glad I waited for a while. Patrons at our dinner liked it very much.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2009 - Winger wrote:
Drinkable, but quite soft. Fruit seems to be fading and some alcohol peeking through. This was probably a tad over the hill.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2009 - tarheel17 wrote:
Geyserville Vertical (My House): nose: a little smoky, with darker fruit and olive aromas again (similar to the 1995)
palate: thick mouthfeel, hefty in weight, this wine was "nice but plain" according to my scribbles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2009 - suttonri wrote: 89 Points
A blend of plums, cherries, and blackberries with a constantly shifting balance. Secondary flavors of earth, leather, and cocoa waxed and waned. Very pleasing and really at its peak 6 hrs after opening with shortribs braised in beef broth. Thank you, Mr. Draper.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2008 - cassel wrote: 87 Points
Underwhelmed with this vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2008 - Patrick wrote:
Lets see: underwhelming vintage + short lived varietal + questionable storage + 10 year old wine + Paul Draper = amazing. Very bordeaux in style with the primary fruit beginnning to fade a bit but the secondary cedar, cigar and dried cherry notes are great. This is starting to lean out and should probably be finished sooner rather than later but this was far from a disappointment. Really sad that this was my last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2007 - mellison wrote: 91 Points
Good expression of zinfandel. Have several bottles of 1998 & 1999 Ridge zins that need to be drank and this is the best so far. Kind of earthy with the heavier flavors of blackberries and blueberries. Good dark color, nice nose and acceptable finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2007 - SoCal wrote: 87 Points
This bottle has been at my local store stored at 70 deg F since release. The color is plum like. The nose is Black Pepper, stewed plumbs and a hint of barnyard. On the attack I found sherry flavors that gave way to red sweet cherries and spice. The finnish was good with sweet leather components. This wine was at its best with food. I feel it would have been better if stored properly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2007 - mplympton wrote:
m: spicy, dusty, dried cherries, dried herbs/mint?, salami/deli counter, up front aromatics, definitely not fruit forward but tons of pretty aromas, dried flowers, hibiscus, rose hips, black pepper
m: nice attack of dried black fruits, meaty, spicy, really nice texture, touch of sweet fruit on attack, nice zestiness, long, long, finish, good freshness to the wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2007 - Fatty Cat wrote: 91 Points
Early Sep 2007: dark purple color; intense spices, slightly mint and red fruits plus some notes of coffee and chocolate; smooth on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2007 - veniceslug1 wrote: 89 Points
A nice zin, but not ridge's best. When open still suprisingly young for an off year. Lots of fresh black fruit, but the vanilla not dominates. A very nice drink, but not exciting. Second day, wood flavors have faded leaving a fine zin.
After several days sealed in polycarbonate bottles, the wine has slipped now reminds me of nothing so much concord grape juice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2007 - ArizonaWineGuy wrote: 86 Points
Nice and full-bodied, but somehow, while not flawed, not really bringing anything memorable to the table. I'd been expecting more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2006 - tmay wrote: 90 Points
Balanced with a nice finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2006 - JScott wrote: 90 Points
I've always liked this better than the critics, vintage be damned. I think the vintage gives it a Cote Rotie-like edge which suits me fine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2006 - MichielV wrote: 90 Points
WOTN next to the 97,99 and 2000. Well integrated very good zin and good for the pork dish. Fun to drink 4 vintages although the 97 was toast.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2005 - Chewbacchus wrote: 88 Points
I too detected Brett which increasingly I find distracting, even when relatively mild as in this case. Its noticeable on the nose and in the mouth. Once past this, you're welcomed to a solid core of blackberry and a wave of firm tannins
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2004 - thewinelake wrote: 89 Points
UK wine-pages Geyserville Vertical (London): A bit of taint on the nose - Brett?, but this grows on me and actually I rather warm to it. A rough leather sofa that doesn't look promising, but one can sink into in comfort.... ...and the dog likes sitting there too!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/7/2002 - tendring wrote:
Wine Education Service - World Class - Ridge Vineyards: Medium colour with slight browning.
Vegetal nose, with a feeling of age.
A well produced wine, black cherries.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/6/2001 - SadEdjo wrote:
clean bright strawberry & nutmeg. smooth glycerin for lingering mouth feel. drinking very well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2000 - Oberhau wrote: 75 Points
Pleasant wine, but unremarkable for a Ridge
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment