Ransom

Ransom

Old Tom Gin

I had this in Beaverton, Oregon. It’s like drinking brown liquor without drinking brown liquor :-) — 8 months ago

Hartford Court

Far Coast Vineyard Chardonnay 2015

Ron R
9.4

Another cellar experiment of ours. This is showing very well at this stage in its evolution. A hazelnut, nutmeg, brine-like nose gives way to a medium bodied, full-throttle palate. Dense and opulent, this is fruit-forward with pineapples and nectarines. Excellent now, and will stay this way for at least another 3 years, easily.
I was discussing with my wife how I’ve decided to return to my moderate wine roots. I’ve grown weary of spending a “kings ransom” on bottles, and for what exactly?
Ultra expensive wines are becoming like fritterware software, which draws in people like us, with a very disproportionately low gain in tasting experience, relative to cost. This cost me $25 a few years back, and I’ve now decided to drink more frugally. Yes, I have a few “trophy” bottles to get thru, but I’m not wasting any more of my hard-earned on penis extensions.
What are your views in this space (and I don’t mean views on PE’s).
— 4 years ago

Paul, Severn and 43 others liked this
ESF

ESF

When I was in the wine biz I was always really excited to find a lower priced wine that over-delivered. Finding those gems makes our habit much more tolerable
Ron R

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@Daniel Bloom, thank you for those words. My intent is to inject a little levity into this lofty space that we have decided to occupy.
Daniel Bloom

Daniel Bloom

@Ron R Gracias, and back at you sir.

Ransom

Reds Rouge Valley Malbec Blend 2015

Spicy and jammy. Very nice with couscous. 2015 — 6 years ago

Kevin liked this

Myriad Cellars

McGah Family Vineyard Sémillon 2018

Ron R
9.1

Anne-Marie rated this 92, I gave it 90, so we split the difference. Notes of guava and white melon on the nose. Delicate notes of passion fruit and honeysuckle on the palate. Inoffensive, but lacks a little character and complexity. Having said that, it doesn’t cost a king’s ransom, so, net net, it’s a buy. We purchased this on allocation, so, very pleased with the outcome
Stop Press: That’s my tuna tartare in the foreground...
— 7 years ago

Severn, James and 26 others liked this
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Ron R Looks fantastic! Cheers!
Ron R

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Thanks guys and gals. I love making this dish, as it has such a visual appeal. Although the sauce is the most difficult element. But I crushed that, too. There’s no way my wife is divorcing me anytime soon! 🙂
Dick Schinkel

Dick Schinkel

Lovely Pairing 😋

Seven Sinners

The Ransom Old Vines Lodi Petite Sirah 2015

Dark chocolate overlaying a little bacon, great petite sirah — 8 years ago

Vapor Distillery

Ginskey Gin

r c
9.0

Great Old Tom style. comparable with Ransom Old Tom. — 10 years ago

Effingham

Virginia King's Ransom 2020

Clear, medium ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of blackberries, cassis, and tabacco; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, full body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of black cherries, blueberries, eucalyptus, and wet gravel with a long finish. This wine is balanced, intense, and complex. Overall, I rate this wine as outstanding. Nellie likes it, too. — 8 months ago

Nellie Bauman
with Nellie
ESF liked this

Ransom

Willamette Valley Albariño

Searing acids. Wow. Hard not to take another sip. Very good — 5 years ago

Severn, Peter and 1 other liked this

Ramey Wine Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Ron R
9.2

Yes, another Napa cab.
My wife has taken me as a hostage. But my ransom isn’t too much, hence the Ramey tonight. And she’s not even here to blame for my choice.
The nose presents nice oak treatment, along with spice box. Palate shows ripe, fresh fruits, medium tannins, and moderate acidity. Great extraction, without being overly done. This is a well moderated example of the varietal.
On the 93 pt bubble...
— 5 years ago

Krystal, Deborah and 56 others liked this

Cloudy Bay

Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Ron R
9.3

So good, so exotic. One of the best down-under SB’s in our book. Doesn’t cost a king’s ransom, either. Our prior notes apply. — 7 years ago

Martin, Severn and 39 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Kaye and I spent 6 weeks in NZ about 5 years ago. Started out February 1. I was birdwatching but did consult Parker for wineries. I went to about 10 wineries on the north side of the South Island. Nice but not trophies like Napa. It was really fun . Good restaurants too. Kaye found good breweries. Queens town is very pretty and fancy . I think that’s the ski place. NZ is a lot like Oregon with a wet and dry side. The fjords are beautiful. There’s a reR parrot there . I gotta say it rained for 2 days there non stop. I never say rain like that before. ( I am from Tucson) . I didn’t see the parrot either! Aukland has a good wine store I can’t remember name. I brought reds home. If you can fly directly to Auckland . The flight from Sydney to Auckland is about 1,500miles. Hugh 🍷
Ron R

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Hugh, thanks for the tips and insights! I’ll send you notes when we get there...
Somm David T

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The biggest producer of wine in NZ and everyone else is a very distant second.

Ransom

Selection Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2010

Good acidity, no bite, cherrys, blackberry and a little funk on the nose but not on the palette. — 8 years ago

Rudius

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Ron R
9.2

Tasted many times. Always a pleasure. Great fruit profile, well behaved tannins. Doesn't cost a kings ransom, either. — 9 years ago

Robert, Hugh and 39 others liked this
David From The 504

David From The 504

Always a pleasure to drink @Ron R
Ron R

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Yes @David From The 504. Rudius has become a mainstay for us.

Domaine Louis Moreau

Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 2017

Ron R
9.3

My new find. Really enjoying the burg GC’s at the moment. No need to spend a kings ransom for excellence, either.
Refer to my prior notes.
— 4 years ago

Vanessa, Severn and 39 others liked this

Sine Qua Non

Poker Face Syrah 2004

Syrah on another logical level. A pure barnstormer. Never tasted a Syrah like this before! Very atypical for the varietal. Perfectly weighted, and so compact. Sandalwood interplay’s with dark chocolate, blueberries and cinnamon.
WNH NY 2021. I think
@Bill Bender coughed up the king’s ransom for this gem. Can’t thank you enuf, Bill!
— 5 years ago

David LDiana LJoe Lucca
with David, Diana and 6 others
David, Shay and 79 others liked this
David L

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This was a treat said the least. I’ve been blessed enough to have had this a few times. One of if not my favorite SQN of all time. Thank you again for bringing it @Bill Bender
9.8
Bill Bender

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You are welcome @David L @Ron R SQN and pizza is a tough pairing to beat
Ron R

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When can o storm your cellar, @Bill Bender? Don’t be holding out on yer boy now!!!

Ransom

Cattrall Vineyard Pinot Noir

Really great May entry for Craft & Barrel’s wine club! Light, citrusy, nice minerality. Reminds me of NZ sauvignon blanc :) — 6 years ago

Jeffrey liked this

Ransom

Jigsaw Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015

2015. Smooth and velvety for a late August evening in NYC. Pairs well with food or as a sipping wine. A winner. — 7 years ago

Rick liked this

Ransom

Sweet Vermouth

Cherry and blackberry syrup. Menthol, licorice, fennel, and amaro. Lemon peel. Boysenberries. — 8 years ago

Ransom

The Emerald 1865 Straight American Whiskey

When she’s deglazing pans with this...you might not have enough low end options in your bar — 8 years ago

Eric, P and 6 others liked this

Ransom

Rouge Valley Cabernet Franc 2013

Peppery and perfect with ribs. Really popped with roasted veggies. — 9 years ago

Plumpjack

Reserve Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Ron R
9.0

We had great expectations for this wine. Sadly, those expectations were not realized.
On the nose, we detected iron, tart cherries and redcurrants.

On the palette, it lacks the typical opulence we have come to expect from this producer. No plush, velvety texture. Mild root vegetables and burnt oak comes to mind. We are of the view that these grapes did not reach full maturity. Good acid structure, but the wine lacks cohesion. A good example, but not great.

We paid a king's ransom for this and Plumpjack still have our hostage. sniff...
— 10 years ago

David, Eric and 16 others liked this
Ron R

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@Pete Contaldi, apologies in that I should have mentioned that it was a stelvin closure. In my opinion, the closure was fine. This was just a sad outcome from the wine production team.
Ron R

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Hello Janet, I will try Odette. I have heard good things about their juice. I must confess, this is the first poor bottle of Plumpjack I have ever had - and I have been fortunate enough to have many. Nevertheless, I did spit my pacifier out over this.
ADAM STROMFELD

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Same experience I had with my wife 2 years ago on New Years Eve with my wife with the 2009 Reserve!