Sonoma County, California, USA
Very fragrant nose shows very pure blackberry fruit with autumnal spices and smoky gravel note. Open yet with some nice structure on the palate. Dry, non-jammy, classic style. Finish is clingy and dry, with tannins on the tongue to the last.
Very fragrant nose shows very pure blackberry fruit with autumnal spices and smoky gravel note. Open yet with some nice structure on the palate. Dry, non-jammy, classic style. Finish is clingy and dry, with tannins on the tongue to the last.
Dec 15th, 2024
Really nice. Very elegant and complex.
Really nice. Very elegant and complex.
Mar 31st, 2024
Drinking again after two more years in bottle. Beautiful right now. Excellent tension between acid and big ripe, fleshy blue fruit. Ferrous, spicy, briary fun but with superb elegance. Loving this wine and very sad it is my last bottle.
Drinking again after two more years in bottle. Beautiful right now. Excellent tension between acid and big ripe, fleshy blue fruit. Ferrous, spicy, briary fun but with superb elegance. Loving this wine and very sad it is my last bottle.
Mar 27th, 2020Hitting its stride. Extroverted nose. Roasted meat, coffee bean, brambly blackberry, dry gravel. Savory and with nice acidity, this is the polar opposite of a jammy Zin. Intense, iodine laced Zinny flavors. Great wine.
Hitting its stride. Extroverted nose. Roasted meat, coffee bean, brambly blackberry, dry gravel. Savory and with nice acidity, this is the polar opposite of a jammy Zin. Intense, iodine laced Zinny flavors. Great wine.
Jan 11th, 2020
Smelled and tasted like the holidays. There is an attractive development of earth and caramel creeping under some big oaky fruit. Needs another 5 years. Meanwhile, comfort food delicious with a long teeth staining finish.
Smelled and tasted like the holidays. There is an attractive development of earth and caramel creeping under some big oaky fruit. Needs another 5 years. Meanwhile, comfort food delicious with a long teeth staining finish.
Dec 20th, 2018Power and elegance woven together- never at odds with one another. The tension of this wine is where it should be- in its fresh and youthful acidity. These 70-year-old head-pruned vines sit in a wonderful site on one of the best eastern slopes in Alexander Valley. The dedicated Carignan bottling is also worth finding. This blend is fairly true to itself with bright brambly fruit and exotic spice character, revealing lots of fresh mint, dill and cedar. Also a bit on the lush side- not exactly an Oak Monster invasion happening here but definitely revealing oak tannins-charred caramel, campfire and vanilla on the finish. There is an undeniable shift happening at Ridge- deliberate or not- towards more ripeness and more voluptuous wines coming from their Sonoma and Napa vineyards. But they remain beautifully crafted and expressive of their place. This is quintessential California- not the stewed blackberry jam doused in vanilla extract.
Power and elegance woven together- never at odds with one another. The tension of this wine is where it should be- in its fresh and youthful acidity. These 70-year-old head-pruned vines sit in a wonderful site on one of the best eastern slopes in Alexander Valley. The dedicated Carignan bottling is also worth finding. This blend is fairly true to itself with bright brambly fruit and exotic spice character, revealing lots of fresh mint, dill and cedar. Also a bit on the lush side- not exactly an Oak Monster invasion happening here but definitely revealing oak tannins-charred caramel, campfire and vanilla on the finish. There is an undeniable shift happening at Ridge- deliberate or not- towards more ripeness and more voluptuous wines coming from their Sonoma and Napa vineyards. But they remain beautifully crafted and expressive of their place. This is quintessential California- not the stewed blackberry jam doused in vanilla extract.
Jun 11th, 2018Juicy, lush fruit. Resolved, silky tannins. Minty vanilla, burning cedar. Body is so elegant and refined. A particularly ripe wine for Ridge.
Juicy, lush fruit. Resolved, silky tannins. Minty vanilla, burning cedar. Body is so elegant and refined. A particularly ripe wine for Ridge.
May 25th, 2018
Stewed fruit and nice acidity...very pleasing and approachable. Only mild signs of age.
Stewed fruit and nice acidity...very pleasing and approachable. Only mild signs of age.
1 person found it helpfulMar 29th, 2016
Enjoyed at ZAP luncheon with Ridge president Mark Vernon
Enjoyed at ZAP luncheon with Ridge president Mark Vernon
1 person found it helpfulApr 12th, 2013
Soft, smooth, cherry, blueberry, medium bodied.
Soft, smooth, cherry, blueberry, medium bodied.
May 17th, 2017