This is a pleasant stunner of citrus zest and tart apple. Whoa! Note to self: 12 is not sufficient supply. — a month ago
Excellent red and great value. Bought at Jacksonville, Florida and drank in Dublin, Ireland — 2 months ago
Ridge Three Valleys 2023
Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A classic Sonoma field blend composed of 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro, and 2% Alicante Bouschet. Crafted in Ridge’s signature transparent style, this vintage leans toward a riper and more fruit-driven expression than many of the winery’s other bottlings.
Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry preserves, ripe plum, black cherry, and raspberry compote dominate, supported by touches of black pepper and baking spice.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and a broad, generous texture. The fruit lingers across the palate with a warm, persistent finish.
Food Pairings
A natural companion for barbecue, smoked meats, burgers, and hearty pizza.
Verdict
While impeccably made, this is one of the few Ridge wines that didn’t quite resonate with my palate. It leans a bit too jammy and overripe for my preference, though lovers of rich, fruit-forward California reds will likely find plenty to enjoy.
Did You Know?
Ridge has long been one of California’s pioneers of ingredient transparency, listing the exact grape composition directly on the label.
🍷 Personal Pick
I truly love Ridge wines, but I’d still reach for Lytton Springs or Geyserville before this bottling. If bold, juicy Zinfandel blends are your style, however, this one could easily become a favorite. — 2 months ago
Lots going on with this wine. Progression from light to dark fruit to tart, slightly sour finish. Dried cherry, forest floor, acidic. — 3 months ago
Golden raisins, soda bread, lemon, orchard fruit, nice body, tart rainier cherries — 4 months ago
This vintage’s blend is Grenache (42%), Syrah (40%), Petite Sirah (9%), Mourvèdre (4%), Graciano (4%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (1%). Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of ripe red and black fruit, wood smoke, pepper spice and woody herbs. Flavors of blackberry, huckleberry, smoky black tea, Asian spices and savory herbs. Hint of black pepper on the long, luxurious and earthy finish. A well integrated presence of oak. Bright juicy acidity, quite powerful and very generous. A consistent (vintage after vintage) Rhône-style red blend. Pop the cork on a bottle of this consistently excellent wine and fire up the grill!! Thanks for sharing this one, Kase! — 13 days ago
Billy shanon @pops — 20 days ago
Just think Dom Perignon is a solid consistent Champagne house. — a month ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2012 Special Club pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of raspberry, apple, strawberry, peach, lemon curd, toasted brioche, almond, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Delicious. Drink now through 2042. Disgorged October of 2022. — 2 months ago
It was great buy more — 2 months ago
I have a cold, but it has a strong, yet enjoyable flavor. I like how dark of a wine it is. — 3 months ago
Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV – Champagne AOC, France 🇫🇷
Overview
One of Champagne’s enduring benchmarks, Special Cuvée combines approximately 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier, with a significant portion of reserve wines contributing depth and consistency. Rich, layered, and unmistakably Bollinger, it delivers remarkable complexity at a price point that remains accessible compared to many prestige bottlings.
Aromas & Flavors
Golden apple, ripe pear, citrus zest, baked brioche, roasted nuts, and subtle spice unfold in layers. Notes of fresh bread dough and orchard fruit intertwine with hints of honey and toast.
Mouthfeel
Vibrant and energetic with a creamy mousse and impressive depth. A delicate kiss of yeast adds texture and contrast, while the wine’s concentration and freshness remain beautifully balanced through the finish.
Food Pairings
Lobster, seared scallops, roast chicken, truffle dishes, aged Comté, oysters, or simply enjoyed as a celebratory aperitif.
Verdict
A richly textured and multi-layered Champagne that continues to justify its reputation as one of the region’s benchmarks. Complex, expressive, and consistently rewarding, it offers a level of sophistication that punches well above its category.
Did You Know?
Unlike many large Champagne houses, Bollinger ferments a portion of its wines in old oak barrels and maintains an extensive reserve wine program, helping create the signature richness and depth that define Special Cuvée.
🍷 Personal Pick
Few non-vintage Champagnes deliver this combination of richness, complexity, and value. The layered fruit, subtle autolytic character, and vibrant texture make Special Cuvée one of my favorite benchmark Champagnes and a bottle I never hesitate to revisit. — 2 months ago
You can always count on Ridge — 3 months ago
Clear, deep ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of plums, blueberries, and camphor; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, high tannins, high alcohol, full body, and pronounced intensity primary and secondary flavors of blackberries, ground coffee, cocoa, and menthol with a long finish. This wine is intense and complex. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. — 2 months ago
Full bodied zen- very nice wine. It was better with some air so let it breath — 2 months ago
Loved it!
40th — 3 months ago
Loved the hint of cherry and the balanced tannins. — 5 months ago
"Odedi"
Pale lemon in color.
Nice on the nose, and medium in body with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing citrus, green apples, light spices, yeast, light brioche, minerals and sea salt.
Long finish with limes and almonds.
This 14 year old Champagne is starting to drink nicely now. Rich and nicely balanced. Tangy and spicy.
Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.
I've had a few vintages of this Champagne, and this one seems less approachable at the moment.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food, like fresh seafood.
A blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. Aged for 7 years on the lees.
12% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$100. — 5 days ago