Brandon Boesch

9.4

Big but hides abv. Smooth, dark fruits, some herbs and spices, overall a ton of fruit and bitter cocoa. It honestly needs more time. So good with steak au poivre at meritage St. Paul. — 11 days ago

Ed Chin

9.0

A well made wine with plenty of time still. GSM’s just don’t do anything for me at the moment. — 10 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

12/2022. Nicely structured wine. Dark color and good fruit. Paired well with the Pierogies at Gervais and Vine. — 4 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.4

Killer at this age with a whole lot of stuffing remaining. — 5 years ago

DAL 9000

9.3

Deep inky color. Dark berries bouquet and initial taste. Jammy and dark berries in the middle and finish. At West Central Wine dinner. — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.2

Keste pizza at home. Drove deep into the mouth of the beast (Manhattan) to get this. Reminded me of the film “Dawn of the Living Dead” when we drove through Meatpacking district.
We’ll get thru this, I’m sure of that. Pizza is 99 pts.
This bottle was an outlier, relative to what we normally experience from this producer. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Jon Hanlon

9.0

Dinner at Saltys. Full bodied with a velvet smooth finish. Licorice and berry spice on the nose. — 7 years ago

Brian Lenich

9.1

Dinner with Joe Deb Amy and Brian at 1894 — 2 months ago

James Burge

9.3

stars and stripes; bold at 14.5%; pair with pork; drink with good company (2018) — 9 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

So, I have confessed to drinking only Ca Chardonnay in the past. In 2001-02, I had the 99 Pine Ridge Stag’s Leap District and it was the first red wine I gravitated. This 97 Andrus is their flagship wine & a better wine & vintage than the 99 Pine Ridge Stags Leap District that I had so long ago.

I decanted half the bottle and reserved the rest. The decanted was very good, but the reserve is better.

Excellent wine tonight that has sentimental meaning.

I bought 2 bottles on the secondary market for a $100 recently, that included fees & tax. It is like stealing candy from a baby at that price point. This was slightly better two-years ago, but excellent tonight w/ Ribcaps.

The palate is rich, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, sweet me raspberry tones, blue/purple fruit tones, dry, crushed limestone-rock, dry top-soil, some dry herbs, dry tobacco, leather, some black licorice to cola, melted chocolate, some grilled meats, steeped tea to black tea, dry stone, used barrel shavings, withering dark, red, purple flowers round acidity and a well balanced, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on dry minerality. — 2 years ago

Ming L

9.1

Last bottle of this very good HHH cab. A bit more meaty and rustic on the nose than the last bottle that I can remember. Lightly candied fruits, round acidity, and polished tannins are coming together nicely. At its peak, but should stay here for another 4-5 years.



— 5 years ago

Chris B.

9.3

Elegant, classy, fine... not an obnoxious fruit bomb at all (although unmistakably Californian). First impression was sun-dried flowers, cedar and sweetness but after drinking, it was a rounded mix of licorice, blackberries and chocolate custard. Tannins are chewy - you just want to keep drinking it. — 6 years ago

Hayden B. Oothout

9.5

Outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon from a reputable Santa Cruz vineyard. Double decanted for an hour. This vintage is light but bold at the same time. Only clocking in at 13.1%. It is thin on the palette but structured. Good tannin structure, light red fruit, minimal oak and charming acidity. After 10 years in the bottle, this vintage is just waking up. Luckily I have 2 more bottles in my cellar. After the first glass, your palette really adjusts to the light but subtle flavors. Don’t drink this after a big, bold wine. This should be the first wine you consume. Drink now with decanting or age for 20 more years. — 7 years ago

Ericsson

9.3

Ridge Vineyards Wine Mixer at Thyme Restaurant. Drinking very well at the moment. — 9 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.3

[Tasted on February 1, 2026 at Tom and Kathy’s house with Tom and Kathy]

Cherry and strawberry fruit, with black tea, spice and rose petals. — 9 months ago

JK Robinson

8.9

Yah. This is a good ‘un. For sure would buy again. On the big side of cab at the start, with a light-medium finish. I can use this in my life. — 4 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Paul Draper’s note on the back label said this would be “at its best for the next 7-8 years” but I’m afraid he’s sold his wine a bit short. It’s still going strong after 2+ decades. Beautiful Zinfandel-driven blend with supple and ripe black fruit, smoke and vanilla spice — 5 years ago

William Feinstein

9.3

Napa merlot at its best. Notes of blackberry, smoked meat and a hint of eucalyptus rise from the glass. Dark and brooding in the glass. Earthy tones, dark chocolate, hoisin and black tea on the palate. Great wine in a tougher year shows the skill of the winemaker and quality of the vineyard. 11s aren’t blockbusters but great winemakers made balanced wines. — 6 years ago

with Maryalice

Joe Davant

9.4

I’ve been holding off on drinking any of the 2012 vintage from Hirsch because the folks at the winery said this vintage that needed time in the bottle. @Bill Bender’s notes about the 2012 Hirsch Reserve encouraged me to open a bottle, and I’m glad I did. The wine was deep and broad with more earth, forest floor, mushroom, and loamy notes than I have come to expect from Hirsch wines. The structure has settled down and the more beguiling feminine aspects of the West Ridge are now showing themselves. This was fanatic with crispy roast duck at Gideon Ridge. On a side note, I’ll give a plug to that restaurant. IMHO, it’s the best restaurant in the high country, with great food, service and views. Just plan ahead because reservations are often 6-8 weeks out during the summer season. — 7 years ago

Jimmy Hilton

9.2

12.97 at Specs. Loved it. — 7 years ago