Mainly red fruit with a bit of spice, medium fine tannins, and medium acidity. Sort of a black tea note on the finish. Feels a bit austere. Definitely drinkable now but I’ll lay my other bottle down for a nap.
Edited to add: had the second half the next night after sitting out in the decanter. It smoothed right out and got even a little juicier as the tannins resolved a little.
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And in a flash my 2 Z List bottles are gone! Solid early drinking Ridge Zinfandel, nice structure, lively acidity, nice dark blackberry fruit and a dash of crushed stones for good measure. In this shipment, Ponzo consumed first, Pagani second, Lytton goes in the cellar for 5-10 years.
Red cherry and raspberry fruit followed by a burst of dried citrus and warming spices. Lighter in style than most Ridge zins, with bright acidity and mild tannins. Very approachable.
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Monte Bello Visit: 97% Zin, 3% Petite Sirah - from Russian River. On the nose - ripe red fruit - redcurrants maybe? Not pruney or confected, savoury with good acidity and a hint, just a hint of jamminesss. Some fascinating discussion at the table about the ripening of Zin, and how common it is to have bunches with some grapes that have turned to raisins, and some which are like cranberries, and how vineyard management is key to dealing with this.
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14.7% alcohol. Holds it well. Elevated acid. Light on the palate. raspberry and ripe strawberry. Med minus body, elevated acid, med minus tannins (plush). Red currants No impression of oak.
Reminds me of New Zealand Pinot. Ripe fruit but it’s not confected.
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Decanted 2.5 hours. Medium dark ruby. Nose is dominated by strawberries and then a bit of wild blackberry followed by some iron and very mild black pepper and spices. Strawberries and blackberries continue with the initial sip and then minerals come in to form the earthy tannin structure. Medium length finish which is very cleansing – graphite, black pepper, and mild oak driven spices.
If served blind, I am not sure I would have guessed this is from Ridge. I am not getting much of the American Oak profile that I typically do with Ridge wines. Despite that, I think this is a fine zin that leans to the simple side. Enjoyable on its own. Curious to see how the other bottles develop with time.
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We really liked it, although it’s very young. It would’ve been better to not drink this and let it lie for a few more years. Despite that, it was rich with black and red cherries, stone fruit, a bit of flint, and some cedar burn on the palate. Good now and I can only imagine much better with a couple/few years waiting.
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12/30/2022 - tedcholl wrote: 88 Points
One of my Ridge Zin club wines. This is the jammiest of the wines. Dark fruit, red fruit, bramble, white pepper.
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12/11/2022 - Deegie Likes this wine: 89 Points
Mainly red fruit with a bit of spice, medium fine tannins, and medium acidity. Sort of a black tea note on the finish. Feels a bit austere. Definitely drinkable now but I’ll lay my other bottle down for a nap.
Edited to add: had the second half the next night after sitting out in the decanter. It smoothed right out and got even a little juicier as the tannins resolved a little.
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12/9/2022 - markydecker Likes this wine: 90 Points
And in a flash my 2 Z List bottles are gone! Solid early drinking Ridge Zinfandel, nice structure, lively acidity, nice dark blackberry fruit and a dash of crushed stones for good measure. In this shipment, Ponzo consumed first, Pagani second, Lytton goes in the cellar for 5-10 years.
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11/27/2022 - ElJefeTX Likes this wine: 92 Points
Red cherry and raspberry fruit followed by a burst of dried citrus and warming spices. Lighter in style than most Ridge zins, with bright acidity and mild tannins. Very approachable.
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11/11/2022 - lozatron Likes this wine:
Monte Bello Visit: 97% Zin, 3% Petite Sirah - from Russian River. On the nose - ripe red fruit - redcurrants maybe? Not pruney or confected, savoury with good acidity and a hint, just a hint of jamminesss. Some fascinating discussion at the table about the ripening of Zin, and how common it is to have bunches with some grapes that have turned to raisins, and some which are like cranberries, and how vineyard management is key to dealing with this.
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11/11/2022 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 90 Points
Ridge Monte Bello with Leon (Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz, CA): Med minus garnet color.
Ripe black cherry. Grape. Hint of mushroom. Expressive but not overly confected. Hint of tea / stems / herbaceousness. Damp leaves.
14.7% alcohol. Holds it well. Elevated acid. Light on the palate. raspberry and ripe strawberry. Med minus body, elevated acid, med minus tannins (plush).
Red currants
No impression of oak.
Reminds me of New Zealand Pinot. Ripe fruit but it’s not confected.
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10/29/2022 - ChateauShiny Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decanted 2.5 hours. Medium dark ruby. Nose is dominated by strawberries and then a bit of wild blackberry followed by some iron and very mild black pepper and spices. Strawberries and blackberries continue with the initial sip and then minerals come in to form the earthy tannin structure. Medium length finish which is very cleansing – graphite, black pepper, and mild oak driven spices.
If served blind, I am not sure I would have guessed this is from Ridge. I am not getting much of the American Oak profile that I typically do with Ridge wines. Despite that, I think this is a fine zin that leans to the simple side. Enjoyable on its own. Curious to see how the other bottles develop with time.
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10/1/2022 - CurtaVino Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solid young Zin. Not overly oaked. Drinking well now, but probably could use a couple of years to peak.
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9/24/2022 - mwtrotter3 Likes this wine: 90 Points
We really liked it, although it’s very young. It would’ve been better to not drink this and let it lie for a few more years. Despite that, it was rich with black and red cherries, stone fruit, a bit of flint, and some cedar burn on the palate. Good now and I can only imagine much better with a couple/few years waiting.
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