| | A group of us gathered to taste some Ridge wines. Due to the cursed virus our numbers were diminished, and we were left with a younger selection of wines than had been intended. Palate Cleansers Sonoma Zinfandels - 2010 Ridge Geyserville - USA, California, Sonoma County
First of these i've drunk for a year or so - super coherent now, just fully integrated, starting to show secondary characteristics. If i didn't know how these develop I'd say "drink them now" but...they will go on for decades. The fruit is still there, super engaging, there is a backbone there but it's so easy (and enjoyable) to drink now. My, and the table's WOTN.
Some discussion about the correct pronunciation, I'm *pretty* sure it's guy-zerville...
- 2017 Ridge Zinfandel Boatman - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Very different beast from the '10 Geyserville served alongside. Almost acetone feel to it, a kind of glossy oakiness that I don't usually associate with Ridge. Settled down - of all the wines this was the one I really felt that we committed infanticide on (although interestingly, one diner voted it his third best of the evening).
2018 Zinfandels - 2018 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Was surprised by this. Super balanced - and apart from the 2010 Geyserville, the readiest to drink. Some discussion at the table as to whether this would have the bones to keep going - I think the consensus was this wouldn't get much better, but I am not sure. Really enjoyed this.
- 2018 Ridge Botticelli Vineyard Rockpile - USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile
Yummers. A real nostalgia trip to the kind of blackberry fruit I used to get from Australian wines, back when I could afford Australian wines. Fruit forward, but super balanced. This clearly can make old bones but it's kinda thrilling now.
Rhones - 2019 Ridge Carignane Gonsalves - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County
Super well put together, restrained with a lot of backbone. Lacked the crunchy red-fruit I associate with Carignane but lovely in its own way. Of all the wines, this one I think suffered from being served in such a context.
- 2016 Ridge Petite Sirah York Creek - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Everything's there - great structure, lovely fruit. I will try, try to leave my remaining bottle in storage until at least 2026 however...
- 2017 Ridge Syrah/Grenache/Mataro Lytton Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Oh yeah. Love this stuff. If they made Chateauneuf du Pape like this, I'd buy some. Lots of fruit, but kept in balance by great structure and acidity. Again - going to try try try to leave my remaining bottle for a few years...
Among the many things discussed at our table, two really stuck out, firstly, *any* of these would be just wonderful to enjoy with your loved one and a burger over the course of an evening - we were truly spoiled. Secondly, to rerun the precise same line up, in a decade or even two, would lead to even more joy...
The Ridge wines were scored with each participant awarding 3 points to their favourite, 2 to their second and 3 their third. Results were as follows:
1st - 2010 Geyserville (16 pts)
2nd - 2018 Paso Robles Zinfandel (11 pts)
3rd - 2018 Rockpile Zinfandel (3 pts)
=3rd - 2016 York Creek Petite Sirah (3 pts)
5th - 2017 Syrah / Grenache / Mataro (2 pts)
6th - 2017 Boatman Zinfandel (1 pt)
The rest received zero. It mist be said though, that all of these were lovely - really nothing you wouldn't want to have in your cellar. |
