Splash decanted for 30 minutes and drank over next two hours, before, during and after dinner. No detailed notes. Smooth. Nice spice. Drinking very well. Extra cellar time was worth it.
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Violet color with light color separation at the meniscus. Nose dark fruits, some baking spices/cinnamon with sweet marzipan note, slightest hint of heat (15.1% abv) -- would have thought big Cali pinot from the nose alone. Palate silky dark fruits with hints of tannic bite, finish with juicy red fruits and herbal flavors. Reminds me of an aged Cab in its complexity and secondary flavors. Still with strong fruity flavors but great complexity from aging, overall highly enjoyable. Very drinkable now but I think it has quite a bit of life yet.
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Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Very smooth with integrated dark cherry & red licorice, a little earth, the perfect amount of oak and a lingering, almost cab-like finish without the typical Zin spice. Just an awesome Zin without the over-the-top fruit. Ridge is quickly becoming one of our favorite Zin wineries.
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Clear, medium ruby with a garnet rim. On the nose: Red and dark cherry, dried raisin, oak, savoury notes, sweet spice. A touch of herbs and vanilla. Probably developed. On the palate: Medium(+) acidity, medium(+) body. Red and dark cherry, sweet plum, oak, herbs. Medium(+) integrated tannins, medium(+) finish. This wine is in a great place right now. In fact it is probably at peak. A panoply of ripe fruits and an ample body that nevertheless stays firmly on the right side of over-exuberance. Drink now, and enjoy.
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This beautiful example of cool climate Zinfandel was a perfect match for a strip steak and fries as I start my Labor Day weekend. It's a blend of 98% Zinfandel and 2% Petite Sirah. I'd love to ask Paul Draper what he thought the dash of Petite Sirah added (or maybe he just had a little left over?). Deep ruby color, having thrown a very modest amount of sediment. Ideal with about 45 minutes in the decanter. On the nose and palate, it called to mind cherries, blackberries, and Chambord, as well as Cabernet-like notes of cassis, tobacco, leather, and mocha java. Delicious. Might improve for a while but is hard to resist now. Grade: 90.
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Wonderful way to start a Friday night after a Glacial week. Ripe strawberry and dried cranberry, followed by subtle tobacco, cocolate, and leather. Very well balanced. Non-fruit characteristics were nuanced well, and the fruit showed maturity and vibrance at the same time. This wine could easily age for another 10-20 years and be amazing, but it was fantastic today, as is.
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Medium(+) garnet ruby, viscous @15.1% abv. Medium aromas of cherry, cocoa, graphite, dried leaves and oak. Dry, medium(+)-high acidity, medium sweet-ripe tannin, high alcohol and full body. Medum(+) complex palate of black cherries, red berries, tobacco, bitter chocolate, and pepper flavors. Crunchy, almost light-footed texture. Very good length with balanced fnish and the ripe tannins provide that lovely bitter-sweet finishing touch. A great wine.
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Faded garnet color with notes of spice, cherry, raspberry and dust. Cherry and currant qualities on the attack turn to boysenberry and raspberry. Lengthy finish.
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Possible storage issues have lent this wine a peculiar but not unpleasant note of dried apricot. Still lush, a note of blue cheese on the nose. A peculiar palate, richly acidic, tannins are ripe but still chewy. Perhaps this wine is bizarrely nuanced or on this side of faulty, but it is still delivering a wonderfully fascinating experience.
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Deep red color. Full-bodied with a velvety texture and lovely red and black fruit tones. Spice notes in the background. Nice depth of fruit; lush & well-balanced.
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The PS really shows. Very nice tannin structure and brambly fruit you can only get with a RRV zin. Great pizza wine--will be good for at least another 5 years.
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Decanted 1+ hour and drank over next hour. Deep, dark red purple. At first it was one dimensional with an off putting bitterness in mid palate. After two hours, however, smoothed and started becoming more complex. I'll hold the ones in my cellar for at least two years. 88 now but could be 90+ with age.
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lightly polished black fruit aromas. bramble. a little lacquered appeal. easy barrel spice. M+ruby, no medium+purple. this is not an opaque zin. solid medium intensity aromas. palate shows plum and earth notes. grassy, hay, black and purple fruit palate. dry, not sweet fruits and rich in structure, med-tannin, med+acid.
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Opened last night for a glass and finishing up the last two-thirds of the bottle tonight- vacuvinned & refrigerated overnight. Inky crimson color. Notes of raspberry liqueur, boysenberry and brambly red fruit & spice. Medium-bodied and well-balanced with flavors of raspberry, pepper, black cherry, plum and red fruit. Nice finish. Stated abv of 15.1% but it doesn't show.
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Wild raspberry, powerful heat, thick acidity, and leather on the finish. Perhaps a bit young still. Ready but enough acidity to age a couple more years. Lots of bottle bouquet potential.
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Ridge Tasting: Current Releases (Wine Co., St. Paul, MN): Very dark reddish purple color. The nose shows hibiscus, herbs, fruity with cherry and raspberry. the palate is a bit lighter than some of the other Ridge Zin Blend, very fruity, dark red fruits, moderate tannins and some spice.
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Ridge Tasting (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had lots of earth and black currant, some cherry and espresso, and a very brambly finish. The palate was juicy, with cherry and raspberry, chocolate and dirt, and a nice brambly finish.
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11/29/2020 - Ed B Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted thru screen because the cork broke. Drank 30 minutes later. No detailed notes. Smooth, rich, nice spice. Drinking well.
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5/17/2020 - Jjarriel Likes this wine: 88 Points
Good but not great
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4/17/2020 - 83Vintage wrote: 90 Points
While this had some charm with age, overall it was rather simple showing red licorice, wood spice, and dark cherry. Drink.
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2/27/2019 - AlexHop wrote: 86 Points
Not my favorite ridge zin. A bit acidic and thin. Some good flavors but overall disappointing.
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12/3/2018 - Ed B wrote: 91 Points
Splash decanted for 30 minutes and drank over next two hours, before, during and after dinner. No detailed notes. Smooth. Nice spice. Drinking very well. Extra cellar time was worth it.
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3/5/2018 - Jmb4263 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely nose. Pnp. Mature zin but still has acidity with a brightness on the nose. Really glad I got to try this wine with more time on it
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8/21/2017 - fred o. Likes this wine: 92 Points
Violet color with light color separation at the meniscus. Nose dark fruits, some baking spices/cinnamon with sweet marzipan note, slightest hint of heat (15.1% abv) -- would have thought big Cali pinot from the nose alone. Palate silky dark fruits with hints of tannic bite, finish with juicy red fruits and herbal flavors. Reminds me of an aged Cab in its complexity and secondary flavors. Still with strong fruity flavors but great complexity from aging, overall highly enjoyable. Very drinkable now but I think it has quite a bit of life yet.
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7/4/2017 - Decanthor Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is delicious, but at it's prime or just a hair past it. Drink now before the fruit fades!
Notes of baked cherries and candied plums. Good amount of secondary earth notes for balance. Such a complex Zin.
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7/3/2017 - psundberg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Very smooth with integrated dark cherry & red licorice, a little earth, the perfect amount of oak and a lingering, almost cab-like finish without the typical Zin spice. Just an awesome Zin without the over-the-top fruit. Ridge is quickly becoming one of our favorite Zin wineries.
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5/2/2017 - ozyloy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Clear, medium ruby with a garnet rim.
On the nose: Red and dark cherry, dried raisin, oak, savoury notes, sweet spice. A touch of herbs and vanilla. Probably developed.
On the palate: Medium(+) acidity, medium(+) body. Red and dark cherry, sweet plum, oak, herbs. Medium(+) integrated tannins, medium(+) finish.
This wine is in a great place right now. In fact it is probably at peak. A panoply of ripe fruits and an ample body that nevertheless stays firmly on the right side of over-exuberance. Drink now, and enjoy.
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9/3/2015 - ProfBainbridge Likes this wine: 90 Points
This beautiful example of cool climate Zinfandel was a perfect match for a strip steak and fries as I start my Labor Day weekend. It's a blend of 98% Zinfandel and 2% Petite Sirah. I'd love to ask Paul Draper what he thought the dash of Petite Sirah added (or maybe he just had a little left over?). Deep ruby color, having thrown a very modest amount of sediment. Ideal with about 45 minutes in the decanter. On the nose and palate, it called to mind cherries, blackberries, and Chambord, as well as Cabernet-like notes of cassis, tobacco, leather, and mocha java. Delicious. Might improve for a while but is hard to resist now. Grade: 90.
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10/17/2014 - JakeandEsther wrote: 95 Points
Wonderful way to start a Friday night after a Glacial week. Ripe strawberry and dried cranberry, followed by subtle tobacco, cocolate, and leather. Very well balanced. Non-fruit characteristics were nuanced well, and the fruit showed maturity and vibrance at the same time. This wine could easily age for another 10-20 years and be amazing, but it was fantastic today, as is.
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6/1/2014 - Barolo Raymond wrote: 90 Points
Medium(+) garnet ruby, viscous @15.1% abv. Medium aromas of cherry, cocoa, graphite, dried leaves and oak. Dry, medium(+)-high acidity, medium sweet-ripe tannin, high alcohol and full body. Medum(+) complex palate of black cherries, red berries, tobacco, bitter chocolate, and pepper flavors. Crunchy, almost light-footed texture. Very good length with balanced fnish and the ripe tannins provide that lovely bitter-sweet finishing touch. A great wine.
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11/2/2013 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
Faded garnet color with notes of spice, cherry, raspberry and dust. Cherry and currant qualities on the attack turn to boysenberry and raspberry. Lengthy finish.
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11/2/2013 - Vino Me wrote: 90 Points
Opened by Allred and tried on day 2. Creamy with berry and currants. No heat. 90 points.
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11/1/2013 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Ridge Vineyards Virtual Winemaker Tasting of the Fall Releases (Our house): 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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11/1/2013 - thelostverse wrote: 88 Points
Ridge tasting at Allred's. This is still very tannic with prune notes and very jammy.
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9/29/2013 - 9-Toes wrote: 87 Points
Cranberries! The first night it smelled and tasted like a 50/50 mix of Zin & cranberry juice. The next evening, a hint of prunes showed up.
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8/19/2013 - Mezz wrote: 89 Points
Possible storage issues have lent this wine a peculiar but not unpleasant note of dried apricot. Still lush, a note of blue cheese on the nose. A peculiar palate, richly acidic, tannins are ripe but still chewy. Perhaps this wine is bizarrely nuanced or on this side of faulty, but it is still delivering a wonderfully fascinating experience.
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6/21/2013 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 90 Points
Elegant, fruity, balanced wine. Perfect with a veggie burger at Houston's and a steal for $45 in a restaurant.
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6/7/2013 - paulziemba wrote: 90 Points
Tangy. Lovely pale red color. Bewitching scent and remarkably quaffable given its reported 15.1% abv. Great with grilled steaks.
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3/10/2013 - Silveradoup wrote: 92 Points
This is drinking great now. Everything has integrated into a great wine. Fruit, acid and tannins are all in perfect harmony. Great Russian river zin!
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10/10/2012 - 23dex wrote: 90 Points
good stuff - tasty berry, bit of the spicy PS. good zin.
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8/5/2012 - rosesandthorns wrote: 90 Points
Beautifully ripe brimming with strawberries. A fresh fruit perspective.
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6/9/2012 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Deep red color. Full-bodied with a velvety texture and lovely red and black fruit tones. Spice notes in the background. Nice depth of fruit; lush & well-balanced.
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6/1/2012 - rcmcb wrote: 92 Points
The PS really shows. Very nice tannin structure and brambly fruit you can only get with a RRV zin. Great pizza wine--will be good for at least another 5 years.
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2/19/2012 - Ed B wrote: 88 Points
Decanted 1+ hour and drank over next hour. Deep, dark red purple. At first it was one dimensional with an off putting bitterness in mid palate. After two hours, however, smoothed and started becoming more complex. I'll hold the ones in my cellar for at least two years. 88 now but could be 90+ with age.
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2/7/2012 - bobpsi wrote: 88 Points
Moderate nose of cherry, plum, pepper and cedar. Medium body sour cherry, raspberry, herbs and cocoa. Medium hot finish.
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1/22/2012 - nzinkgraf wrote:
lightly polished black fruit aromas. bramble. a little lacquered appeal. easy barrel spice. M+ruby, no medium+purple. this is not an opaque zin. solid medium intensity aromas. palate shows plum and earth notes. grassy, hay, black and purple fruit palate. dry, not sweet fruits and rich in structure, med-tannin, med+acid.
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10/16/2011 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
Opened last night for a glass and finishing up the last two-thirds of the bottle tonight- vacuvinned & refrigerated overnight. Inky crimson color. Notes of raspberry liqueur, boysenberry and brambly red fruit & spice. Medium-bodied and well-balanced with flavors of raspberry, pepper, black cherry, plum and red fruit. Nice finish. Stated abv of 15.1% but it doesn't show.
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8/5/2011 - Mezz wrote: 90 Points
Wild raspberry, powerful heat, thick acidity, and leather on the finish. Perhaps a bit young still. Ready but enough acidity to age a couple more years. Lots of bottle bouquet potential.
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7/14/2011 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 90 Points
Ridge Tasting: Red delicious apple, spice, blueberries, earth and cherry come together for a nice Zinfandel blend. Medium finish.
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7/12/2011 - rocknroller wrote: 88 Points
Ridge Tasting: Current Releases (Wine Co., St. Paul, MN): Very dark reddish purple color. The nose shows hibiscus, herbs, fruity with cherry and raspberry. the palate is a bit lighter than some of the other Ridge Zin Blend, very fruity, dark red fruits, moderate tannins and some spice.
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1/31/2011 - beezer6 wrote: 90 Points
Glunz Grand Tasting (Union League Club of Chicago): Rubber. Lots of acidity. Highest in acid among the Ridge bottlings tasted.
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11/5/2010 - nieuwoudt Likes this wine: 91 Points
spicy zin that will age for another 5 years.
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11/1/2010 - mmurry Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ridge Tasting (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had lots of earth and black currant, some cherry and espresso, and a very brambly finish. The palate was juicy, with cherry and raspberry, chocolate and dirt, and a nice brambly finish.
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6/11/2010 - hutch Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasting with Ridge Wines (Conference room): 6/11/10: This is so tasty. I love that berrylicious furit. Great soaring aromatics. Fun wine, ready to enjoy right now. 89
4/6/10: Ripe, brambly nose. Pure zin. Juicy, and fun. Bright and delicious. 89-90
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