Ridge Vineyards Virtual Winemaker Tasting of the Fall Releases

Ridge Vineyards has begun presenting a live webcast in the spring and fall to showcase the new releases. Paul Draper along with the assistant winemakers and a moderator form the panel and walk through six of the winery's new releases. There are quite a few Zinfandel and Ridge fans among our circle of friends so we decided to make an evening of it and invite everyone over for some warm ups and pizza prior to the tasting.

Joining Domino & I for the evening were Rick & Cris, Rich & Dana and M/M thelostverse.

A couple of starters that we paired with some cheeses and Cris' white bean tapenade, followed by pizza and a salad. We ended the evening with some cupcakes and a Fenn Valley Icewine. Thanks to R&D for the salad and M/M tlv for dessert.

• NV Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Berry, dust, rose petal and dough aromas. Chalk and berry flavors with bright acidity. Medium bead.

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• 2005 Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 93 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Deep color with notes of caramel corn, baked apple and pear, cashews and smoke. Apple and pear flavors with caramel and smoke and a long finish. Showing more oak than I recall from the last bottle, but I like it.

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• 2007 Yves Boyer-Martenot Puligny-Montrachet Les Reuchaux 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet

  Apple, lemon curd and mineral aromas. Medium-bodied, with flavors of pear, lemon, minerals and brine. Soft and elegant on the finish.

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• 2008 Ridge Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Aromas of spice and red fruit, raspberry liqueur and cherry. Good acidity with firm tannins and flavors of red fruit and pepper. Nice finish.

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• 2009 Ridge Lytton Springs

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Lush, ripe red and blue fruits, spice and dried herbs. Has some tannins to shed, but there is loads of ripe fruit along with pepper and sage qualities. Excellent.

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The winery indicated that each of the wines were going to be double decanted prior to the start of the event, so I treated these bottles the same way.

• 2011 Ridge Carignane Triangle 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Deep garnet color. Had an initial funky note that immediately blew off leaving bright red fruit, spice and a meaty undertone. Cherry, raspberry and red fruit qualities with a nice finish.

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• 2010 Ridge Zinfandel Lytton Estate

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Grapey and ripe, with black raspberry and spice aromas. Cherry, raspberry and white pepper flavors with a long finish. Develops a subtle meaty note with air. Nice.

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• 2011 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Aromas of black raspberry, pomegranate, boysenberry and even some chocolate. Sweet, firm tannins with flavors of boysenberry and raspberry with a long, fruit-filled finish.

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• 2011 Ridge Lytton Springs 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Crimson color. Aromas of cherry, herbs and black raspberry with a soft spice undertone. Vanilla, red fruit- very lush and ripe in a good way.

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• 2010 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Klein 93 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Lovely bouquet of violets, graphite, vanilla, green/herbal qualities, red fruit and chocolate. Tannins are firm but very fine and have a sweet edge. Flavors of black currants, black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, cassis and black raspberry. Long finish. 93-94 pts.

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• 2010 Ridge Monte Bello 94 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  This, as all the other wines in tonight's lineup, as instructed by the winery, was double decanted 90 minutes prior to the tasting. We were very surprised by how accessible and open this was. Inky crimson color featuring aromas of vanilla, black currants, green tobacco and violets. Tannins are firm, but very fine and certainly not obtrusive. Flavors of vanilla, black currants, black cherry and florals and progress towards red fruit as the night wore on. Ends with nice balance and length. 94+ pts.

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This is the second of the webcasts we have followed, and I have really enjoyed both. I hope the winery continues these events as they are a lot of fun to particpate in. Having the winemakers leading the way and discussing the vineyards, wines, winemaking and history while taking some questions from the participants is terrific.