My last bottle of this vintage. It is quite enjoyable, with dark cherries, and dark chocolate. It is very complex, with tertiary notes of dried fruits. But I would recommend enjoy your bottles of this vintage sooner than later.
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Wow, this was a great bottle of this wine! It had plum, black fruits, blackberries, bing cherries, forest floor, spice box, and mellow tannins, plus a medium to long finish. The fruit has not faded and I could not have had a better Zinfandel!
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Same experience as my last bottle. The wine has plum, black fruits, blackberries, bing cherries, forest floor, spice box, and mellow tannins, plus a medium to long finish. It is quite delicious.
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I was torn about this wine. It has moments where the dark zinny fruit and the American oak and the herbiness all come together, and it’s really good for those flashes - reminds a bit of, well, Jimsomare from 20 years ago. But there are other moments of a distinctly overripe, stewed fruit character, and in those moments the wine feels tired and jammy, sort of like a too-old carignan from France. We gave the bottle air over a whole evening and it never settled for long in either bucket. In any event, this was monstrously tannic for zin and had excellent acidity, not withstanding a very ripe fruit character. Disappointing, but not uninteresting.
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Phenomenal. Drank well right away. Opened up with some more air. Medium dryness. Notes of herbs on the back of the mouth. Great fruit notes but not overly jammy. Very soul warming.
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Same as previous note from July, 2021 but the red fruit boquet jumped out of the glass more than I recalled from the last bottle. Well balanced , nice finish.
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Has aged nicely with clean deep ruby color. Strawberries and raspberries with hint of licorice on the nose. Mellow tannins with nice acidity. Pleasant red fruit flavors. Was great with pasta primavera . It took about 90 minutes to open up.
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This initially shows the American oak quite plainly. But the perfect build makes you forget quickly how obvious the wood shows on the nose. Pure zinberry palate with bright, melded acidity. Not at all tart. This vineyard stitches in the acid to Zin as good as any other in CA. The fruit doesn't always show a lot of depth but it's so bright and lifted you kinda forget. I think part of that is that it's pure Zin and the best wines involving this grape usually have some others blended or fermented in. This like Petit Sirah, Carignan and Mataro can lend structure and complexity that Zin can't usually proved on it's own. All that said I think this needs at least two more years for the oak to integrate and the fruit to chill out. It's showing pretty young even if the fruit is getting close to lean already. That's not to say it isn't open because it is. For my palate I think it could use a bit more time. Zero fear should be given to opening it now though. Lovely.
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19 barrels produced. Bottled March 2014. “Winter ended abruptly in February, prompting bud-break and the start of the growing season. Fortunately, a few late spring storms provided sufficient water to get the vines through a dry summer. This is our coolest zinfandel-growing site, and is always the last picked, yet this year it ripened fully when half of our Sonoma zinfandels were still on the vine. Elegant and complex, this superb wine will develop fully over the next ten to twelve years.” EB, January 2014.
Purchased secondary market (K&L). Pristine cork. Dark burgundy with faint ruby separation at edges. Nose dark fruited with hint of spice. Palate surprisingly light bodied impression at first, as it sits more of a kirsch density to the red fruits. A slight herbal note, then some floral roses.
Still primary but nice depth. Elegant for sure, shows its class. 92 pts
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14.5% abv. Medium ruby, very expressive aromatics. Ripe plum, lots of delicious white pepper, pomegranate and blue fruit. Excellent depth and length. This is really in a great place - vibrant, complex and focused. This is a wine that really rewards age, IMO. Drink now or over then next 4-8 years.
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Ever so slightly more evolved than previous bottle, but otherwise nearly identical. Had said I would not drink before 2022, but had to make room in my wine lockers - and brought this bottle home. Same tasting note as that for previous bottle applies.
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Initially quite closed off, clearly needs some time to open up. Red, blue, and black fruit aromas unfurl slowly. Gets quite enjoyable after 45 minutes of decanting, but this wine truly needs an hour before it's ready. Paired quite well with Roquefort cheese. Mildly rustic, dusty edge and initial tart profile give way to a smooth yet bold Zinfandel. Quite fun.
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14.5% abv. Medium-dark ruby, very expressive aromas. Ripe plum, blood orange, mint and a floral note highlight a deep and rich palate impression. Lingering aftertaste. A lovely Zin from Monte Bello Ridge. In a good place now with lots of life and development ahead.
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Plum, black fruits, blackberries, garrique, forest floor and good acidity combine to make this a great Zinfandel. This wine can age for any number of years yet.
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Still very young. Most definitely not at its peak, at least for my palate (I quite enjoy tertiary notes). The most striking thing of this wine is the purity of the fruit, esp. on the nose. Plum, black and blue fruits, tar, spices, chocolate. This is a relatively big and ripe Zin, but thankfully oak is well integrated and barely noticeable. Medium low acidity - but enough to keep things reasonably fresh. I will not revisit before 2022 or 2023. My sense is that this wine will reward cellaring big time.
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PnP. Opaque dark violet color. Nose dark fruited, blackberries, some brambles, hint of anise. Palate initially some vanilla, with time more silky red fruits, raspberries, good acidity, surprising lightness of body. Good with charcoal-grilled meats and veggies. Agree with others that this has surprising and welcomed elegance, and not yet at peak -- would let it age another 1-2 years at least. 92 pts
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Good structure and tannins. Opens up nicely but I agree with other user's view on another two years. I'd hazard at least another two, maybe more. Not yet at its peak.
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Served with home-made sausage pizza. Dark garnet, not quite opaque, consistent to the rim, a pretty wine. Nose is dark fruit - plum, prune, a touch of earth. luscious. Acid and tannin play with each other right away on the palate, then some black pepper with the dark fruit. Not reticent at all. A full wine, but balanced with a nice finish. Robust and rich, not showing any age. As it opened up, an elegance made an appearance. This is a magnificent example of what Zin can and should be. I vacillate between 93 and 94, with a temptation to go 95. Thank you Ridge!
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Decanted for a couple of hours (there was some sediment left in the bottle, so a careful decant is recommended). At this stage, there seems to be a bit of a horse race going on. The dark mountain fruit is turning a bit more piquant, while the tannin is resolving at a slower pace. I'm thinking of allowing a good 2 years before opening my last bottle.
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14.5% abv. Dark ruby, very expressive aromas. Raspberry, black cherry and Zin spice. Excellent depth and length, very penetrating. Excellent and distinctive now, this wine has years of pleasure ahead of it.
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Identical impressions as on 10/1/15, except the tannin has softened ever so slightly. I expect this will drink well for another 7-8 years, maybe longer (I've never pushed a zin that far).
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Similar impressions to tasting in 11/14. The fruit is rich, lifted and crunchy with prominent acid and moderate tannin. Very enjoyable now, but I hope to wait a couple of years before popping another one to let it round out a bit. Love this wine. (92-93)
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Opened, poured into a decanter, swirled and then poured back into the bottle. Served about 1 hour later. Served with food (barbecued spare ribs, cheesy polenta and roasted cauliflower). Good nose of spice, black fruits, and a hint of roast meat. Rich and inviting flavors of black cherries, some chocolate notes and an herbal mint/basil/sage element.
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Another good Ridge Zinfandel. Full of ripe red fruits and medium bodied. Enough structure to last a bit, but I'll opt to enjoy now and over the next couple of years
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Opened for National Zinfandel Day (whatever that is). Pop and pour and served with food (jasmine rice and a chicken stir fry). Good dark purple color. Nose of ripe blackberries and some licorice. Rich and robust but well balanced and showing depth of fruit in a smooth and rounded package. Very enjoyable.
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Opened for national Zin day. Nose is floral and black fruits, with a bit of raspberry too. Similar palate with some red fruit on the finish. This is not a big jammy zin, but rather low octane and balanced.
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To me, the 2012 Jimsomare comes across as a more well-mannered version of the 2009. Rich plum, orange peel and minerals on the nose, with just a passing hint of bacon. Similar flavor impressions on the palate, with zesty acid and medium tannins. It's delicious already, but the wine whispers "just you wait" - which I will try to do on my remaining bottles. I get the sense this will improve and last for a long time by zinfandel standards.
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14.5% abv. This vineyard, planted in the late 19th Century on Monte Bello Ridge produces the quintessential "cool climate" Zinfandel.
Medium ruby in color, expressive, mostly black fruit aromas. On the palate, a bit of black raspberry combined with blackberry and dried herbs. A pleasing streak of red fruit adds interest. Deep and long. While still primary, this wine is already demonstrating some interesting complexity.
My 09s and 10s seemed to require a bit of time to come around, this one is already singing, but the song will get stronger and purer with time! I anticipate one of the best Jimsomares in years.
2/28/2024 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 91 Points
My last bottle of this vintage. It is quite enjoyable, with dark cherries, and dark chocolate. It is very complex, with tertiary notes of dried fruits. But I would recommend enjoy your bottles of this vintage sooner than later.
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12/29/2023 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow, this was a great bottle of this wine! It had plum, black fruits, blackberries, bing cherries, forest floor, spice box, and mellow tannins, plus a medium to long finish. The fruit has not faded and I could not have had a better Zinfandel!
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8/28/2023 - moxielady Likes this wine: 94 Points
Cherry, dark fruit full body And smooth
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3/10/2023 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same experience as my last bottle. The wine has plum, black fruits, blackberries, bing cherries, forest floor, spice box, and mellow tannins, plus a medium to long finish. It is quite delicious.
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2/13/2023 - blank blank wrote: 88 Points
I was torn about this wine. It has moments where the dark zinny fruit and the American oak and the herbiness all come together, and it’s really good for those flashes - reminds a bit of, well, Jimsomare from 20 years ago. But there are other moments of a distinctly overripe, stewed fruit character, and in those moments the wine feels tired and jammy, sort of like a too-old carignan from France. We gave the bottle air over a whole evening and it never settled for long in either bucket. In any event, this was monstrously tannic for zin and had excellent acidity, not withstanding a very ripe fruit character. Disappointing, but not uninteresting.
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1/1/2023 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 93 Points
The wine has plum, black fruits, blackberries, bing cherries, forest floor, spice box, and mellow tannins, plus a medium to long finish.
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12/23/2022 - aaronmphoto Likes this wine: 95 Points
Phenomenal. Drank well right away. Opened up with some more air. Medium dryness. Notes of herbs on the back of the mouth. Great fruit notes but not overly jammy. Very soul warming.
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7/9/2022 - cameronleespencer wrote: 94 Points
Overripe fruit and decay on nose, juicy black fruit on palate with vanilla/caramel notes. Smooth tannin. Probably peaking now
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3/4/2022 - moxielady wrote: 89 Points
Not the balanced zin that I expect from Jimsomare.
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2/14/2022 - Thomas D Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same as previous note from July, 2021 but the red fruit boquet jumped out of the glass more than I recalled from the last bottle. Well balanced , nice finish.
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9/3/2021 - moxielady wrote: 94 Points
Complex zinfandel drinking well now
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8/9/2021 - VinoPKM wrote: 93 Points
Amazing Zin for the money
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7/2/2021 - Thomas D Likes this wine: 92 Points
Has aged nicely with clean deep ruby color. Strawberries and raspberries with hint of licorice on the nose. Mellow tannins with nice acidity. Pleasant red fruit flavors. Was great with pasta primavera . It took about 90 minutes to open up.
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4/9/2021 - WetRock wrote:
This initially shows the American oak quite plainly. But the perfect build makes you forget quickly how obvious the wood shows on the nose. Pure zinberry palate with bright, melded acidity. Not at all tart. This vineyard stitches in the acid to Zin as good as any other in CA. The fruit doesn't always show a lot of depth but it's so bright and lifted you kinda forget. I think part of that is that it's pure Zin and the best wines involving this grape usually have some others blended or fermented in. This like Petit Sirah, Carignan and Mataro can lend structure and complexity that Zin can't usually proved on it's own. All that said I think this needs at least two more years for the oak to integrate and the fruit to chill out. It's showing pretty young even if the fruit is getting close to lean already. That's not to say it isn't open because it is. For my palate I think it could use a bit more time. Zero fear should be given to opening it now though. Lovely.
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2/21/2021 - fred o. wrote:
19 barrels produced.
Bottled March 2014.
“Winter ended abruptly in February, prompting bud-break and the start of the growing season. Fortunately, a few late spring storms provided sufficient water to get the vines through a dry summer. This is our coolest zinfandel-growing site, and is always the last picked, yet this year it ripened fully when half of our Sonoma zinfandels were still on the vine. Elegant and complex, this superb wine will develop fully over the next ten to twelve years.”
EB, January 2014.
Purchased secondary market (K&L).
Pristine cork.
Dark burgundy with faint ruby separation at edges.
Nose dark fruited with hint of spice.
Palate surprisingly light bodied impression at first, as it sits more of a kirsch density to the red fruits. A slight herbal note, then some floral roses.
Still primary but nice depth. Elegant for sure, shows its class. 92 pts
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2/11/2021 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 95 Points
14.5% abv. Medium ruby, very expressive aromatics. Ripe plum, lots of delicious white pepper, pomegranate and blue fruit. Excellent depth and length. This is really in a great place - vibrant, complex and focused. This is a wine that really rewards age, IMO. Drink now or over then next 4-8 years.
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1/18/2021 - bravo.solares Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ever so slightly more evolved than previous bottle, but otherwise nearly identical. Had said I would not drink before 2022, but had to make room in my wine lockers - and brought this bottle home. Same tasting note as that for previous bottle applies.
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12/3/2020 - huevosconvino Likes this wine: 91 Points
Initially quite closed off, clearly needs some time to open up. Red, blue, and black fruit aromas unfurl slowly. Gets quite enjoyable after 45 minutes of decanting, but this wine truly needs an hour before it's ready. Paired quite well with Roquefort cheese. Mildly rustic, dusty edge and initial tart profile give way to a smooth yet bold Zinfandel. Quite fun.
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7/10/2020 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
14.5% abv. Medium-dark ruby, very expressive aromas. Ripe plum, blood orange, mint and a floral note highlight a deep and rich palate impression. Lingering aftertaste. A lovely Zin from Monte Bello Ridge. In a good place now with lots of life and development ahead.
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5/29/2020 - Czaffa Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nutty, plum, blackberry, cola, maple, butter, vanilla. Resolving tannins. Already lovely, can't wait to revisit in another couple years
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5/3/2020 - moxielady wrote: 94 Points
love wines from this vineyard, never disappoints. juicy and chewy, a beautiful zin
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4/23/2020 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 92 Points
Plum, black fruits, blackberries, garrique, forest floor and good acidity combine to make this a great Zinfandel. This wine can age for any number of years yet.
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6/27/2019 - spacewrangler wrote: 92 Points
Perhaps lacking a little acid but otherwise a delicious wine with many years ahead.
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5/4/2019 - bravo.solares Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still very young. Most definitely not at its peak, at least for my palate (I quite enjoy tertiary notes). The most striking thing of this wine is the purity of the fruit, esp. on the nose. Plum, black and blue fruits, tar, spices, chocolate. This is a relatively big and ripe Zin, but thankfully oak is well integrated and barely noticeable. Medium low acidity - but enough to keep things reasonably fresh. I will not revisit before 2022 or 2023. My sense is that this wine will reward cellaring big time.
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3/1/2019 - Frijole wrote:
dark blackish burgundy, cloudy, ruby hue
Nose: plum, tar, tobacco, earth, cola, clove, silver, green pepper, chocolate, dust, vanilla, oak
Pal: plum, chocolate, tobacco, earth, clove, tar, green pepper, dust, silver, minerals, oak
Feel: medium, full, savory, acidic, touch cloying
Finish: medium
T8
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8/25/2018 - fred o. Likes this wine:
PnP. Opaque dark violet color. Nose dark fruited, blackberries, some brambles, hint of anise. Palate initially some vanilla, with time more silky red fruits, raspberries, good acidity, surprising lightness of body. Good with charcoal-grilled meats and veggies. Agree with others that this has surprising and welcomed elegance, and not yet at peak -- would let it age another 1-2 years at least. 92 pts
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5/16/2018 - wjadada wrote:
Good structure and tannins. Opens up nicely but I agree with other user's view on another two years. I'd hazard at least another two, maybe more. Not yet at its peak.
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2/24/2018 - bjschmitt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Served with home-made sausage pizza. Dark garnet, not quite opaque, consistent to the rim, a pretty wine.
Nose is dark fruit - plum, prune, a touch of earth. luscious.
Acid and tannin play with each other right away on the palate, then some black pepper with the dark fruit. Not reticent at all. A full wine, but balanced with a nice finish. Robust and rich, not showing any age. As it opened up, an elegance made an appearance. This is a magnificent example of what Zin can and should be. I vacillate between 93 and 94, with a temptation to go 95.
Thank you Ridge!
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12/28/2017 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Thick and jammy. Well balanced for a Zinfandel.
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9/1/2017 - PNIELSEN Likes this wine:
Decanted for a couple of hours (there was some sediment left in the bottle, so a careful decant is recommended). At this stage, there seems to be a bit of a horse race going on. The dark mountain fruit is turning a bit more piquant, while the tannin is resolving at a slower pace. I'm thinking of allowing a good 2 years before opening my last bottle.
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8/12/2017 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 94 Points
14.5% abv. Dark ruby, very expressive aromas. Raspberry, black cherry and Zin spice. Excellent depth and length, very penetrating. Excellent and distinctive now, this wine has years of pleasure ahead of it.
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2/1/2017 - thelostverse wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour last night with some grilled top sirloin. Lovely match. Similar with prior bottle, but the jamminess has come forth.
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10/28/2016 - PNIELSEN Likes this wine: 92 Points
Identical impressions as on 10/1/15, except the tannin has softened ever so slightly. I expect this will drink well for another 7-8 years, maybe longer (I've never pushed a zin that far).
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10/1/2015 - PNIELSEN Likes this wine: 92 Points
Similar impressions to tasting in 11/14. The fruit is rich, lifted and crunchy with prominent acid and moderate tannin. Very enjoyable now, but I hope to wait a couple of years before popping another one to let it round out a bit. Love this wine. (92-93)
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9/15/2015 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Does it get better than old vine Zin from Monte Bello Ridge?
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5/17/2015 - t_moderne wrote: 90 Points
Opened, poured into a decanter, swirled and then poured back into the bottle. Served about 1 hour later. Served with food (barbecued spare ribs, cheesy polenta and roasted cauliflower).
Good nose of spice, black fruits, and a hint of roast meat.
Rich and inviting flavors of black cherries, some chocolate notes and an herbal mint/basil/sage element.
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1/10/2015 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Big like most Ridge Zin's. Good stuff.
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12/4/2014 - WineCPA wrote: 90 Points
Another good Ridge Zinfandel. Full of ripe red fruits and medium bodied. Enough structure to last a bit, but I'll opt to enjoy now and over the next couple of years
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11/19/2014 - t_moderne wrote: 90 Points
Opened for National Zinfandel Day (whatever that is). Pop and pour and served with food (jasmine rice and a chicken stir fry).
Good dark purple color. Nose of ripe blackberries and some licorice.
Rich and robust but well balanced and showing depth of fruit in a smooth and rounded package. Very enjoyable.
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11/19/2014 - thelostverse wrote: 92 Points
Opened for national Zin day. Nose is floral and black fruits, with a bit of raspberry too. Similar palate with some red fruit on the finish. This is not a big jammy zin, but rather low octane and balanced.
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11/2/2014 - PNIELSEN Likes this wine: 92 Points
To me, the 2012 Jimsomare comes across as a more well-mannered version of the 2009. Rich plum, orange peel and minerals on the nose, with just a passing hint of bacon. Similar flavor impressions on the palate, with zesty acid and medium tannins. It's delicious already, but the wine whispers "just you wait" - which I will try to do on my remaining bottles. I get the sense this will improve and last for a long time by zinfandel standards.
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10/16/2014 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 94 Points
14.5% abv. This vineyard, planted in the late 19th Century on Monte Bello Ridge produces the quintessential "cool climate" Zinfandel.
Medium ruby in color, expressive, mostly black fruit aromas. On the palate, a bit of black raspberry combined with blackberry and dried herbs. A pleasing streak of red fruit adds interest. Deep and long. While still primary, this wine is already demonstrating some interesting complexity.
My 09s and 10s seemed to require a bit of time to come around, this one is already singing, but the song will get stronger and purer with time! I anticipate one of the best Jimsomares in years.
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10/5/2014 - MRichman wrote:
Tasting at Ridge Lytton Springs (Ridge Lytton Springs): High acid, a bit tight. Black fruit, tacky acid with long finish. A bit angular. Orange peel. Firm.
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8/30/2014 - moxielady wrote: 93 Points
Voluptuous dark fruit,Spice and acid w hint if tannin
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