Tired at this point. Ridge wines, except the Cabernets, are not made to last more than a decade. This one is 58% carignane, 41% zin, 1% petite sirah. Ratios should have been the other way around. Carignane can be generally described in three words: dull, dull, dull — especially when it gets old. The only ones I've really enjoyed were some young Carignanes from Tulocay Winery.
I remember the old days of Pinot Noir, when they didn't know how to grow it or make it in California. They used to say that the best Pinot Noir had the most Carignane in the blend. That's how bad things were. Now, of course, Pinot Noir is much improved.
If you have any of this blend, DRINK UP!
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On pnp it was a delightful blueberry aroma. With a bit of air it got a touch more astringent all around. It never quite opened back up, but was still a nice wine with a variety of food.
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Easy drinking and light Summer sipper. Nothing special so far. Just opened. See how this develops. It’s a rather warm windy day here in the Central Valley. This wine goes great with this weather. *2nd night wine has developed for the better.
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Pop and pour. Glad I'm opening my last one of these as the wine is starting to show signs that it's past its prime. Somewhat flabby and barely any finish left. Drink up if you have these.
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Deep dark center, red rim with some signs of age. Sweet, red berries, peppery, dusty, a little leathery, a little herby, slightly cheesy. Smooth, blueberries, cherries, good acidity and tannin, dusty, grapey, spicy, a touch of Szechuan pepper, grape finish. Excellent Zin/Carignane blend, the P.S. adds some spice. Drinking well now, but has a few years more to go.
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The 2012 is still drinking very well. Paired with a shell steak it held up fine. Showing such nice age and tannins have softened considerably. On the.palate the pepper notes dominate. The fruit comes through but unfortunately takes backstage to the spice. Pairing this with the right food is key. No matter...It's still delicious and very enjoyable. The pepper lingers on through a long finish. This is all about braised meats here.
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Served with spaghetti and tomato sauce with meatballs, and salad. 58% Carignan, 41% Zinfandel, 1% Petite Sirah. Nice ruby, no longer opaque but lively enough, color good to the rim. Lovely nose. Smooth on the palate, with enough acid to keep interest, good balance. Almost lush mouth feel. Good fruit. Drinking very well right now - maybe I hit one at its peak???
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This is the last of our bottles of this vintage and my wife said she thought it was a 93. I agree, it's drinking at it's peak. Maybe Ridge will open the wine library and present this to us again--I sure hope so.
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You can really taste the carignane in here. This wine has a lush, softness but the fruit has a lean cut as well. Fully mature, not yet fading but losing some of the fruit. I'd say this isn't going to get any better from here, drink now or over the next 3 years. A nice, but somewhat simple Ridge.
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Distant nose, I swear I detected more clean glass than wine. However, immediately upon opening the wine was delicious. Very balanced and nicely matured like that girl next door at your 20th high school reunion. It is ready to enjoy now and might get a bit better with time but I would not risk it. My 2nd bottle is on the endagered species list.
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I'm digging the Carignane dominant Zinfandel blend. Even though alcohol is 14.2%, it isn't noticeable and the flavor is full of blackberries and ripe raspberries. The oak brings dimension without getting in the way. Night one: grilled garlic and black pepper tri-tip; night two: pan seared salmon with a blackberry & red pepper balsamic sauce.
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Decanted for 30 mins. Dark crimson color. Nose of black plum, black pepper, raspberry jam, vanilla, caramel and a bit of chocolate mint. Very nice. Similar flavors on the palate with a nice mix of dark red fruit and American oak notes. Medium acid and tannins with a creamy mouthfeel and long finish. Very satisfying and tasty zinfandel and paired well with skirt steak and sweet and spicy rice.
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Decanted 90 minutes. Deep purple hues. Full ripe blue and purple fruit. Very pleasant and interesting. Long finish. Top 25% for Ridge zins, and an amazing QPR.
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Smooth, rich purple fruit with orange peel, black acid. This is ready to drink. A really nice, full flavored Ridge but not overly heavy. Has the acid profile from the Carignane, not heavy, has good energy. A bit of black core. Very good.
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2/8/2024 - oakville72 wrote: 84 Points
Tired at this point. Ridge wines, except the Cabernets, are not made to last more than a decade. This one is 58% carignane, 41% zin, 1% petite sirah. Ratios should have been the other way around. Carignane can be generally described in three words: dull, dull, dull — especially when it gets old. The only ones I've really enjoyed were some young Carignanes from Tulocay Winery.
I remember the old days of Pinot Noir, when they didn't know how to grow it or make it in California. They used to say that the best Pinot Noir had the most Carignane in the blend. That's how bad things were. Now, of course, Pinot Noir is much improved.
If you have any of this blend, DRINK UP!
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7/3/2023 - Birorganic wrote:
Faded in the last few years. Still drinkable.
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9/19/2021 - klezman wrote:
On pnp it was a delightful blueberry aroma. With a bit of air it got a touch more astringent all around. It never quite opened back up, but was still a nice wine with a variety of food.
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5/2/2021 - 559Cheers wrote:
Easy drinking and light Summer sipper. Nothing special so far. Just opened. See how this develops. It’s a rather warm windy day here in the Central Valley. This wine goes great with this weather.
*2nd night wine has developed for the better.
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11/29/2020 - gudetama Likes this wine: 86 Points
Pop and pour. Glad I'm opening my last one of these as the wine is starting to show signs that it's past its prime. Somewhat flabby and barely any finish left. Drink up if you have these.
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10/7/2020 - moxielady wrote: 89 Points
A little bit acidic, better with food
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8/27/2020 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep dark center, red rim with some signs of age.
Sweet, red berries, peppery, dusty, a little leathery, a little herby, slightly cheesy.
Smooth, blueberries, cherries, good acidity and tannin, dusty, grapey, spicy, a touch of Szechuan pepper, grape finish.
Excellent Zin/Carignane blend, the P.S. adds some spice. Drinking well now, but has a few years more to go.
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7/28/2020 - klezman wrote:
Fantastic. Medium weight, blueberries, earth, red fruits, baking spices, and a delicious savoury quality.
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5/30/2020 - casjf Likes this wine: 90 Points
Went well w pasta puttanesca w spinach & ground beef. Raspberry & black pepper flavors stood up to this dish.
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10/30/2019 - CJM wrote: 85 Points
Clear deep garnet with slight rim browning. Tobacco, tar, toasted oak. Low acids, medium to low tannins. Charred plum pie. Short balanced finish.
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10/19/2019 - kbt13 wrote: 92 Points
The 2012 is still drinking very well. Paired with a shell steak it held up fine. Showing such nice age and tannins have softened considerably. On the.palate the pepper notes dominate. The fruit comes through but unfortunately takes backstage to the spice. Pairing this with the right food is key. No matter...It's still delicious and very enjoyable. The pepper lingers on through a long finish. This is all about braised meats here.
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9/16/2019 - casjf Likes this wine: 89 Points
A little unbalanced. The black pepper overwhelms the lighter strawberry flavors. Suitable for pairing with strong foods.
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4/5/2019 - bjschmitt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Served with spaghetti and tomato sauce with meatballs, and salad.
58% Carignan, 41% Zinfandel, 1% Petite Sirah.
Nice ruby, no longer opaque but lively enough, color good to the rim.
Lovely nose.
Smooth on the palate, with enough acid to keep interest, good balance. Almost lush mouth feel. Good fruit. Drinking very well right now - maybe I hit one at its peak???
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2/19/2019 - Italiana Likes this wine:
Would buy this again in a heartbeat if it were available.
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1/19/2019 - cmmatthews Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent and still a long life. Sadly my last bottle. This wine is the one I look forward to every year in my ATP.
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1/16/2019 - WineAttic wrote: 93 Points
This is the last of our bottles of this vintage and my wife said she thought it was a 93. I agree, it's drinking at it's peak. Maybe Ridge will open the wine library and present this to us again--I sure hope so.
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5/24/2018 - MRichman wrote:
You can really taste the carignane in here. This wine has a lush, softness but the fruit has a lean cut as well. Fully mature, not yet fading but losing some of the fruit. I'd say this isn't going to get any better from here, drink now or over the next 3 years. A nice, but somewhat simple Ridge.
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5/15/2018 - cmmatthews Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still spectacular. Geyserville-like wine. Nice balance of fruit and earthiness.
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8/17/2017 - mwiens wrote:
Personally, I'd give it an 80. Fruit then raisins then bleh. Drink now.
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7/14/2017 - WineAttic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Distant nose, I swear I detected more clean glass than wine. However, immediately upon opening the wine was delicious. Very balanced and nicely matured like that girl next door at your 20th high school reunion. It is ready to enjoy now and might get a bit better with time but I would not risk it. My 2nd bottle is on the endagered species list.
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3/30/2017 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 91 Points
Yummy blend. Delicious.
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3/13/2017 - ptm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Delightful and easy to drink blend with just the right amount of fruit. Very smooth on the palate.
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3/4/2017 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious blend. Wish I had cases more of it. Ready now. Not one for long term aging.
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2/15/2017 - mseeber Likes this wine: 92 Points
I'm digging the Carignane dominant Zinfandel blend. Even though alcohol is 14.2%, it isn't noticeable and the flavor is full of blackberries and ripe raspberries. The oak brings dimension without getting in the way. Night one: grilled garlic and black pepper tri-tip; night two: pan seared salmon with a blackberry & red pepper balsamic sauce.
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1/19/2017 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 91 Points
On the money Carignane Zin blend. They stay out each other's way and the Carignane flavors shine.
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9/19/2016 - dabovino Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great Zin blend
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9/11/2016 - Rich S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 30 mins. Dark crimson color. Nose of black plum, black pepper, raspberry jam, vanilla, caramel and a bit of chocolate mint. Very nice. Similar flavors on the palate with a nice mix of dark red fruit and American oak notes. Medium acid and tannins with a creamy mouthfeel and long finish. Very satisfying and tasty zinfandel and paired well with skirt steak and sweet and spicy rice.
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9/3/2016 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 90 Points
Easy drinker with the blend I like. Nice fruit, spicy. Berry good.
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9/2/2016 - rossta0825 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice balance of the Zinfandel spice and fruit with the body of carignone
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7/25/2016 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice zin. Deep ruby red. Medium to full bodied. Pleasant relatively complex red and blue fruit. Decent finish. Top 25% of Ridge zins.
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7/12/2016 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 90 minutes. Deep purple hues. Full ripe blue and purple fruit. Very pleasant and interesting. Long finish. Top 25% for Ridge zins, and an amazing QPR.
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5/31/2016 - MRichman wrote:
Smooth, rich purple fruit with orange peel, black acid. This is ready to drink. A really nice, full flavored Ridge but not overly heavy. Has the acid profile from the Carignane, not heavy, has good energy. A bit of black core. Very good.
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4/17/2016 - cmmatthews Likes this wine: 91 Points
Super. Fruit balanced by earthiness and a bit of a chalkiness as well. If you love the Geyserville, you'll love this.
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