David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

A few things; I still have not opened a bad bottle of Ridge, not even a corked bottle & I’ve had a number of them. First time having this bottling. I don’t drink a lot of Zinfandel or Zinfandel blends but when I do, I prefer Ridge’s style.

96% Zinfandel & 4% Petite Sirah. Decanted 40 minutes.

Intense nose of; brambly blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries and hints of blueberries, incense, soft black pepper, mid berry cola, black licorice, light barrel shavings, vanilla, melty, dark chocolate, caramel notes, dark spice, some; nutmeg, clove, cinnamon. Liquid violets, lavender and red candid flowers.

The palate shows; round, lush & juicy fruits of; brambly blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, liqueured dark cherries. boysenberries, notes of poached strawberries and hints of blueberries. Incense, soft black pepper, mid berry cola, black licorice, light barrel shavings, vanilla, melty dark chocolate, caramel notes, dark spice with some heat, a little; nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, finely crushed rocks, dry top soil, dry twig, used iron pan notes, powdered minerals, liquid violets, lavender and red candid flowers, excellent round acidity, tall structure & fairly big tension, well balanced and nicely, layered, polished finish that lasts nearly 90 seconds.

Still a bit young to me. Better in 5-7 yrs and will drink well for another 5-7 after that. More new wood use here than I am used to in their Zin & Zin blends.

Paired nicely with my Allen Brothers burger.

Photos of; the drive up entry to Ridge’s tasting room hilltop above Cupertino, cellar barrel, Ponzo Vineyard fruit and their tasting terrace. — 24 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Drinking well at 26 yrs. This was polished with berry fruits showing lots of spice, cedar, leather, pencil & tobacco. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Blend of Tempranillo with 19% Mazuelo (Cariñena), unusually high, each aged separately for 26 months (Temp-American / Mazuelo-French), pronounced bouquet of berry fruits with complex spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and plum flavors, well balanced, with pepper, cinnamon and slight tobacco. Long finish, tight tannins ending with fruit and an earthy mineral character. Outstanding, will age for years and will improve in the bottle! — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Blend of 31% Garnatxa, 26% Carinyena, 20% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, deep dark Ruby, slight purple, with aromas of ripe berry fruit, herb, floral and spice notes. On the palate flavors of raspberry, ripe strawberry and black cherry with oak, herbs and licorice. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and mineral character. Will age! — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Deep Ruby with an elegant bouquet of berry fruits, pepper spice with earthy tones, a traditional Rioja, aged 26 months in American (40%) and French (60%) oak. On the palate flavors of plum and sour cherry, tobacco, smoky pepper spice, lively acidity. Fine firm tannins, medium finish ending with fruit, spice and an earthy character. — 8 months ago

Marc Melser

9.1

We had the 2009 and 2010 Vintages in a vertical tasting on 6/26/22. The 2009 had a more floral bouquet. The 2010 was more minerality and earthy. The 2010 got better with aeration. Tastes of black cherry and cassis. The 2009 was more red berry. For both the tannins smoothed out. Both had long finishes. Both, of course were classic Old World; have to consider them medium bodied. — 2 years ago

Larry Johnson

9.2

Enjoyed this very much. Dark berry forward but not overly sweet. Will definitely buy again — 4 months ago

David D

9.0

Floral, aromatic, and peppery. Inky tannins but good, bright acids. Some wet steel, violets, hint of coffee, red berry. A touch alcohol forward? From Astor Wines. 09/26/2023 — 7 months ago

Diana Sabo

9.5

Enjoyed 2018 vintage on December 26, 2022 — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Medium Ruby with fresh ripe berry fruit flavors with earthy floral spice notes, aged for 11 months in French oak (26% new). On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with tea, herb and citrus adding some floral notes. Fine tannins on long finish ending with fruit and slight earthy character. Good now, will benefit from short-term aging. — 2 years ago