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Second Sunday Group: Ridge Geyserville Vertical (2008-2015)
R&D's
Tasted October 13, 2019 by AllRed with 209 views
Introduction
The 2nd Sunday group gathered for our regular double blind tasting. For this group, we are presented a couple of double blind warm ups before the main flight. The warm ups are discussed & unveiled before moving on to the themed main flight. We spent forty five minutes or so tasting and evaluation the eight wines for the main flight before ranking the wines and then making guesses as to what we were tasting. Wines are ranked 1-8, one point for each place, and then unveiled from last place to first place. After the tasting, dinner is served with the additional wines brought by the group, nonblind. For this tasting we had eleven tasters and the cost was $30.
Flight 1 - Warm up whites (3 notes)
White
2015 Bodegas Avancia Godello Cuvée de O
87 points
Double blind. Apple and white fruit elements; perhaps some crab apple too. The palate follows the bouquet, adding a mineral quality in the finish. Good supporting acidity. No real guesses from myself or the group- we were kind of all over with this one.
White
2017 Ladera Sagrada Godello Valdeorras Castelo do Papa
88 points
Double blind. Peach and apple; floral elements too- almost viognier-like bouquet. Apple, pear and white peach flavors, somewhat heavier texture. Most of us were thinking Rhone varieties, and most of the group preferred this to the first warm up.
White
1998 Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault Le Tesson
A nonblind warm up, courtesy of PB, in magnum. Advanced color. Aromas of butterscotch, maple and bruised apple. Apple and varnish on the palate. Clearly oxidized, though not entirely devoid of charm...one need only look for it and be patient.
Flight 2 - Main flight (8 notes)
Red
2014 Ridge Geyserville
86 points
Double blind. Purple/garnet color (nearly identical across the flight). Shows a good bit of alcoholic heat beyond which there's raspberry and dark fruit. Structured; tannic. Red fruit and more alcohol on the palate (this is at cellar temperature too- can't imagine how hot it would be at warmer room temperature). Opens further in the glass to reveal a chocolate note that complements the raspberry tones...still quite hot. Almost searing tannin.
My #7, Domino's #6
Group #6, 50 pts
Now the third time I have had this, and the worst showing yet...trending in the wrong direction.
My #7, Domino's #6
Group #6, 50 pts
Now the third time I have had this, and the worst showing yet...trending in the wrong direction.
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Comment
Red
2013 Ridge Geyserville
88 points
Double blind. Deep purple/garnet color. Plum, raspberry and herb aromas. Full-bodied and moderately tannic. Red fruit dominates the palate. Adds a clay/earthy element as it sits, and the fruit turns more towards the dark end of the spectrum. Very good. 88-89 pts.
My #2, Domino's #1
Group #1, 32 pts
My #2, Domino's #1
Group #1, 32 pts
5 people found this helpful
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Red
2011 Ridge Geyserville
89 points
Double blind. Deep garnet/crimson color. Initially a bit reticent- perhaps some mixed fruit and something towards the woody end of things. Not as structured as the first two, with cherry, raspberry and orange rind flavors. Shows more cherry and raspberry as it opens, along with a bit of alcohol. Somewhat tannic; ripe red berry fruit. The most approachable and balanced of the wines in this lineup.
My #1, Domino's #2
Group #2, 38 pts
My #1, Domino's #2
Group #2, 38 pts
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Red
2012 Ridge Geyserville
88 points
Double blind. Deep purple garnet color. Aromas of mixed fruit and violet with a bit of alcoholic heat too. Tannic; dark fruit on the palate. Raspberry/black raspberry notes as it opens, with more of the same on the palate. Structured; good.
My #4, Domino's #4
Group #4, 44 pts
My #4, Domino's #4
Group #4, 44 pts
2 people found this helpful
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Red
2008 Ridge Geyserville
87 points
Double blind. Garnet color. Muted- reticent. Slightly tannic, with generic red fruit qualities on the palate. More expressive as it sits- black and red fruit, an herbal overtone and hints of blue fruit emerge as well. Develops a lush feel on the palate but remains somewhat simple; red and black fruit qualities. Finishes on the shorter side of medium.
My #5, Domino's #5
Group #5, 45 pts
My #5, Domino's #5
Group #5, 45 pts
Red
2015 Ridge Geyserville
86 points
Double blind. Deep purple garnet color. Plum and red berry fruit and hot. Mixed fruit on the palate; structured and tannic. Herb/dill notes emerge. Acidity is rather pronounced. 86-87 pts.
My #6, Domino's #7
Group #7, 63 pts
My #6, Domino's #7
Group #7, 63 pts
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Red
2009 Ridge Geyserville
86 points
Double blind. Dark fruit, plum and spice notes. Tannic, with red berry fruit dominating. Turns pruny and raisiny in the bouquet and on the palate. 86-.
My #8, Domino's #3
Group #3, 44 pts
My #8, Domino's #3
Group #3, 44 pts
1 person found this helpful
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Red
2010 Ridge Geyserville
88 points
Double blind. Initially quite reticent and shy in terms of the bouquet. Showing more on the palate though- mixed red and dark fruit, raspberry; somewhat tannic. A bit of an outlier as it's brighter than the others in this lineup, and I like it for that reason. Berry and herbs with hints of chocolate. Raspberry and ripe cherry palate with a nice finish. 87-89 pts.
My #3, Domino's #8
Group #8, 80 pts
My #3, Domino's #8
Group #8, 80 pts
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Flight 3 - Dinner/dessert wines (9 notes)
White
1996 Peter Michael Chardonnay Point Rouge
90 points
Double blind, courtesy of MaY. Yellow color, showing notes of white flowers, lemon and mineral with a subtle toasted note. Apple and pear, along with an intriguing lanolin quality that I like. Has a slight toasted marshmallow thing going on in the finish. Finishes with good length and balance. I guessed '96 Burgundy. What a surprise to see an old Point Rouge unveiled...it's held up very well, though I am certain peaked some years ago. NO reason to hold these any longer. 90-91 pts.
Red
2017 Two Hands Shiraz Gnarly Dudes
90 points
Not decanted. Black fruit and spice notes. Medium tannins. Nice fruit- raspberry and plum- along with a peppery spice element. Finishes with good length.
Red
2009 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V.
93 points
Courtesy of BH. Black fruit- cassis and currant- with undertones of leather and spice box. Velvety texture. Black currants and mixed berry fruit. Long finish.
Red
2016 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau
93 points
Popped and poured with dinner following the tasting. Red berry fruit and spice notes dominate the bouquet. Medium- to full-bodied with nice structure and flavors of raspberry, pepper and herb. Long finish. Excellent, in spite of its youth.
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Red
2015 Cornerstone Cellars Syrah Ram's Horn Vineyard
90 points
Popped and poured with dinner following the tasting. Blue and black fruit notes, perhaps just a touch hot. The palate mirrors the bouquet, with a nice peppery quality in the finish.
Red
2017 Chappellet Mountain Cuvée
91 points
Violet and currant notes. Dark fruit, vanilla and oak spice on the palate. Lingering finish with a hint of chocolate. Firm but fine tannins.
Red
White - Sweet/Dessert
2003 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes
90 points
Pineapple, mango and marmalade notes. Soft on the palate, dominated by tropical fruit. Round and a bit fat.
1 person found this helpful
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Red - Fortified
1991 Warre Porto Vintage
88 points
Currant and red berry notes with a nice underlying spice element. Good.