Paul Draper's Ridge

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1994

Simply outstanding. Birth year of my daughter, Paul sent this to me. Traveled with us from NYC to Japan. Cork was a bit problematic. Despite the label notes of timing this was still gong strong. Clearly measured up to Paul’s La Tour great vintage aspirations. Wish we had more than the remaining 1/2 bottle. Textbook wine and not just CA. — 4 months ago

Paul Hobbs

Nathan Coombs Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Mike R
9.6

Ok it is finally here - the wine nerd herd 5 year reunion has started - in 2016 - the herd met in NYC - there were amazing bonds and friendships developed and are intact to this day and growing 
Initially there was
@Carl Fischer @Ron R @Joe Lucca @David L well as myself @Mike R and one other who had such a blast we have decided to this get together as a herd frequently and for most part we have been United and strong even doing zoom tastings whenever 
Not long after the initial conclave in 2016 we traveled and expanded to include
@Bill Bender @Shawn R @Eric L. and a true foundation of youth and knowledge @Shay A we have been to Palm Beach, Raleigh, San Diego, San Antonio, Des Moines, Paso Robles and now back to the starting place - NYC - 5 years later 
Get ready New York as the herd is running hard and with purpose in the city that never sleeps 
The picture / posting are two tune up tastings last Saturday with locals in Raleigh as I need practice a) red wines below 50 and b) red wines above 100
Standout to me was the Muga in the less than 50 and in the over 100 - all were good but Paul Hobbs, myriad, switchback ridge, Pulido walker
Of course the krug and aubert were good but maybe not able to keep up 
The carnival of love and Don Melchor were delicious as well but were not equivalent to the Napa cabs that are all world class vineyards and winemakers 
Again I say all this to say training is over and let the games begin in NYC as we have landed 
Thank you
@Ron R and @Carl Fischer for hosting the herd and I am stoked 
Bam 💥🐂❤️🍷
— 3 years ago

Mike, Paul and 49 others liked this
Scott Rowe

Scott Rowe Influencer Badge

Glad to see there is an Aussie in the warm up line up!!
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I missed these, but there’s always the next event. Keeps us posted regarding Napa, Mikey!
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

@Ron R i has this with a few of my friends in NC as a tune up or practice for NYC

Paul Chapelle

Hameau de Blagny Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 2007

Confrerie Des Chevaliers du Tastevin Sous-Commanderie d'Albany, Pauleé Dinner; 27 January 2019 at Lake Ridge Restaurant, Round Lake, NY — 5 years ago

Mark, David and 13 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Geyserville Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 1999

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 — 2 years ago

Severn, Matt and 17 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

Severn Goodwin Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I think that can be said for many of their wines, the longevity is undersold.

Scott Paul Cellars

D122 Pinot Noir 2013

Wow, the six years since my last btl have really been generous to this wine. Absolutely lovely light-styled PN now. On the nose: perfumed red fruit, loads of stony minerality, soft rose hips, a hint of blood orange..fantastic aromatic complexity and still rather primary. On the palate: excellent density, very nice acidity and weight, with more spicy red fruit and lots of stony notes. Lovely soft spice and very soft tannin on the elegant finish. This is fantastic now, and seems like it will age very gracefully, if this btl is representative. Yum! — 3 years ago

Peter, Bob and 12 others liked this

Paul Conti

Medici Ridge Shiraz

Good to great wine.
Present from Kallen for Jysae birthday
Strong and bold
— 4 years ago

Ridge Vineyards

York Creek Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1977

Paul Draper’s notes indicate this was the first vintage of York Creek can to be generally available. I don’t know what that means about the age of the vines but the notes (written in 1979) also say “with two to three years of bottle age this wine should begin to open up, but it will need more time to soften fully.” Well here we are 42 years on: still savory, still has a tannic backbone with good acidity, still has a good cork. Definitely a food wine, but very fine as such. Not a fruit bomb in the last twenty years can compare! 13.1% abv. — 4 years ago

Bodegas Muga

Selección Especial Rioja Tempranillo 2016

Mike R
9.2

Ok it is finally here - the wine nerd herd 5 year reunion has started - in 2016 - the herd met in NYC - there were amazing bonds and friendships developed and are intact to this day and growing 
Initially there was @Carl Fischer @Ron R @Joe Lucca @David L as well as myself @Mike R and one other who had such a blast we have decided to this get together as a herd frequently and for most part we have been United and strong even doing zoom tastings whenever 
Not long after the initial conclave in 2016 we traveled and expanded to include @Bill Bender @Shawn R @Eric L and our newest and a true foundation of youth and knowledge @Shay A and we have been to Palm Beach, Raleigh, San Diego, San Antonio, Des Moines, Paso Robles and now back to the starting place - NYC - 5 years later 
Get ready New York as the herd is running hard and with purpose in the city that never sleeps 
The picture / posting are two tune up tastings last Saturday with locals in Raleigh as I need practice a) red wines below 50 and b) red wines above 100
Standout to me was the Muga in the less than 50 and in the over 100 - all were good but Paul Hobbs, myriad, switchback ridge, Pulido walker
Of course the krug and aubert were good but maybe not able to keep up 
The carnival of love and Don Melchor were delicious as well but were not equivalent to the Napa cabs that are all world class vineyards and winemakers 
Again I say all this to say training is over and let the games begin in NYC as we have landed 
Thank you @Ron R and @Carl Fischer for hosting the herd and I am stoked 
Bam 💥🐂❤️🍷
— 3 years ago

Mike, Scott and 62 others liked this
Deborah M

Deborah M

Can’t wait to see what the Herd drinks this time. Enjoy!!
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Pretty sure I got ambushed by you and the gang on a Cheval-Blanc bender (no participant pun intended) Insane Diego. It was a great night.
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

Sounds like so much fun!

Beau Vigne

Estate Stags Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

@Paul T- Huntington Beach Thank you my friend. composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it prances out of the glass with carefree plum preserves, blackcurrant pastilles and dried mulberries scents plus nuances of candied violets, tobacco leaf, wild sage and charcuterie with a waft of tapenade. The full-bodied palate is chock-full of savory layers, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and a refreshing line, finishing with lingering earthy sparks. — 3 years ago

Paul, Eric and 30 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

That was a good bottle, too bad that winery went 👎🏼

Paul Draper's Ridge

Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

As perfect as everyone says it is — 6 years ago

Eric liked this