Matt Perlman

9.5

Sangiovese / sagrantino / montepulciano blend from hilltop vineyard, several years of tank and cask ageing but no new wood. Huge wine but somehow manages to be lively and dimensional. Dark, fleshy red and black fruits with lots of savory, herbal and floral elements — 16 days ago

Eric Grasser

9.2

Special hilltop vineyard of 3 acres of 70-year-old vines. A natural matured profile such as dried cherries, tangy raspberry, sandy tannins, powdered soil, licorice and full of truffle. Still a bit austere with a sharp acid drive — a year ago

Rio Kara Herbik

10

Wonderful and surprising Syrah tasted at Tinto Wine at Hilltop in VA Beach as a part of a Thankgiving themed tasting. — 2 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.4

Smokey dark red cherry, menthol, eucalyptus, cooked mushrooms, and barnyard funk on the nose. The palate presents dark cherry, cinnamon, clove, cooked strawberry, rhubarb, fresh strawberry, cranberry, and minerals. Low tannins, medium alcohol, high acid, and long finish. Excellent SLH. — 2 years ago

with Susan

Amy Hill

9.0

Big bold Cabernet. Deep purple color. Nice fingers and mouth feel. Chalky, earthy, flavors of currant and spice. Great sipping wine. — 2 months ago

Paul T HB

9.5

Another winner at $25.00

K&L notes as follows,

Oakridge's Single Vineyard wines are renowned for their stunning transparency, allowing the unique characteristics of each vintage to shine through. Among the Chardonnays produced by Oakridge in 2021, the Willowlake stood out as the undisputed star. Situated on a distinctive, 900 ft elevation site in the Upper Yarra, the Willowlake vineyard is planted on red, volcanic soils, wrapping a hilltop with a predominantly northern aspect. This unique location yields Oakridge's most robust expression of Yarra Valley Chardonnay. The aromatic profile of the Willowlake Chardonnay is incredibly striking, beginning with a foundation of stone fruit, complemented by notes of brioche and lemon. As the wine breathes in the glass, a subtle oak character emerges, revealing hints of baking spice. On the palate, a powerful surge of Meyer lemon takes center stage, accented by nuances of mandarin and saline. What makes this wine truly special is its weighted center, balanced by agile outer edges. This duality grounds the core fruit flavors while maintaining a lively dance around the palate's edges. The wine's acidity is perfectly balanced, making its presence known in the mid-palate and persisting through a long, umami-rich finish. This is classic Oakridge - a harmonious blend of power and finesse. The Willowlake Chardonnay is substantial and serious, yet simultaneously refreshing and vibrant. It stands as another testament to the exceptional value of Oakridge's Chardonnay. — 10 months ago

Guillermo Gonzalez

9.3

Hidden gem. Made with fruit from 3 hilltop vineyards. Raspberry jam, rose petal, leather. Beautiful tannins. Another one that delivers the next day. Perfect with Pastaria, while taking care of 3 kids, solo. — 3 years ago

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. — 9 months ago

Vanessa

9.0

Happy Prosecco Week!  We’re celebrating the occasion with a special bottle that is NOT the kind of Prosecco you’d use for your mimosas …

It’s the 2021 Cartizze, Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG produced by Bisol, a family-owned and -operated winery since 1542.

It comes from the prized, historic hilltop site of Cartizze (a “grand cru” level vineyard in Prosecco Superiore DOCG). This single vineyard site is treasured for its ideal growing conditions, capable of producing the highest quality fruit to make highest quality Prosecco.
 
Elevations stretch up to 1,000+ ft offering both cooling influences and increased sunlight interception, especially with a south-facing aspect. Fruit going into a Cartizze wine must be hand-harvested, which promotes fruit selectivity.

You may notice the label doesn’t even mention “Prosecco” … this is because the quality of the location “Superiore di Cartizze DOCG” supersedes any other naming convention in terms of indicating the wine style.

Its color is pale lemon with a delicate, creamy mousse. The nose opens with a medium intensity bouquet of lemon peel, ripe pear, apple, quince, white peach, honeysuckle, white blossom, and blanched almond. On the palate, this wine is off dry, with medium alcohol (ABV 11.5%), and medium(+) acidity, lending balance to the structure and profile. Flavors match the nose and it’s delicious, layered, and vibrant.

Cheers to the diverse world of Prosecco! — a year ago

with Deked1

Jeff Shaw

9.2

Super plummy good stuff. Miss it already. I gotta remember to post here — 4 years ago