Latest ATP arrived last week, so took one for the team:
1. Ridge Syrah LyttonEstate/DCV/SonomaCnty (14.7%; 10% Viognier; 37 brls; Bttld: Dec 2011; Drk: 8/11-8/20-8/22: EB) 2009: Dark color; strong vanilla/Am.oak/pencilly/DraperPerfume some blackberry/Syrah/blueberry/ripe slight pungent/licorice/smokey bit complex nose; slightly soft strong blackberry/Syrah/blueberry/ripe/spicy strong vanilla/Am.oak slight pungent/licorice structured flavor w/ some hard/rough tannins; very long strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah/spicy/ripe strong vanilla/Am.oak/DraperPerfume rather balanced/lush/structured finish w/ ample/hard tannins; has the balance & structure to go out 10 yrs easily. $34.00 (ATP)
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And a wee BloodyPulpit:
1. RidgeRhones: I have, of course, followed the RidgeRhones from the very start. When I found out Ridge had planted Syrah at LyttonWest and was planning to make Syrah, I was, as a lover of Calif Syrah, very excited. When they had the first one in the btl, DonnReisen (jeez...do I miss that guy. He was one of a kind) brought a pre-release btl out to our DaveJones MemorialPotluck at SantaFe W&C Fiesta. I remember when Donn poured me a glass, I almost dropped it on the floor; I was so excited to taste the first Ridge Syrah. But he could tell immediately from my crestfallen look that I was not thrilled. He raised his eyebrows (as only he could do) as if to ask "What's the matter??". I snorted (as only I can do) that it tasted more like LyttonSprings Zin or PS than a Calif Syrah. He gave me that avuncular/knowing look (as only he could do) and responded "You wait...just give it some time". He was, of course (as he always....or usually was) right. It turned into a lovely old-bones Ridge red.
But I ragged Donn unmercifully over the yrs about the RidgeRhones...that they spoke more of Ridge winemaking and were not much like any other Calif Rhones.
Since those early days in the mid-'90's; I've long ago made my peace w/ the RidgeRhones. They, as did this '09, speak, upon release, mostly of Ridge winemaking and less of the typical varietal character that Calif Syrah or Grenache usually shows. They're pretty different from other Calif Syrah/Grenache. But they do, in fact, speak of Syrah or Grenache...they just don't shout it. Ohhhhhh....Kay...so that's the way Ridge chooses to make their Syrah or Grenache. I can live with that. But I've found, over the yrs, that they age into some really good....Ridge reds. As good as any of the Ridge Geezers or Lyttons, IMHO.
So...if you worship at the altar of varietal typicity; than the Ridge Syrahs are not for you. If you worship at the altar of terroir...maybe the Ridge Syrahs are for you (wouldn't know the LyttonWest terroir if I woke up & found it in bed w/ me the next morning). But if you worship at the altar of good/ageable Ridge red wine; then it's the right stuff for you. Or...if you're a heathen and worship at no altars but just like good red wine with no pre-conditions, then Ridge Syrah is just the ticket for you. They appear to know a bit about making ageable red wine up there on MonteBelloRidge.
I think it would be a great idea if, on the Fri afore or the Mon after, this yr's RhoneRangers; they would hold a tasting up on MonteBelloRidge, of some of their Syrahs and Grenaches and blends from their archives. I think it would be an eye-opener for many of the Calif Rhone fanatics as to what the RidgeRhone program is all about.
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2. This Lytton Syrah '09 is pretty typical of Ridge Syrahs in that it speaks strongly of DraperPerfume/Ridge winemaking. But I think it's one of their better Syrahs and has the structure and balance to mature into something really interesting over the next 10 yrs EricBaugher suggests...and even longer than that. But it's not (probably) going to be a whole lot like a good Jaffurs or Ojai or EdmundsStJohn Syrah at 10 yrs of age.
Tom