Tried this new ATP wine last night:
1. Ridge 50% Syrah/Grenache LytonEstate/DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty (14.7%; 34 brls; Bttld: June 2012;
Drk: 3/12-3/18-3/20: EB) 2010: Dark color; strong Am.oak/vanilla/slight smokey rather blackberry/Syrah/blueberry/spicy bit strawberry/Grenache slight earthy/dusty quite attractive nose; fairly tart some smokey/vanilla/Am.oak/DraperPerfume fairly strong blackberry/Syrah/quite spicy slight strawberry/Grenache/OV/dusty perfumed flavor w/ light/ripe/fairly smooth tannins; long rather Am.oak/vanilla/smokey strong blackberry/Syrah/very spicy bit high-toned/strawberry/Grenache/dusty OV finish w/ light/smooth/ripe tannins; quite a nice blend that speaks strongly of Syrah. $34.00 (ATP)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. The Ridge Rhone program has long been a bit perplexing to me. In the past, the wines, upon release, speak loudly of Ridge winemaking, w/ lots of vanilla/Am.oak, often at the expense of varietal character. Maybe it's just the LS terroir speaking. They're just sort of different beasts from other Calif Rhones. They're not that much different from the Ridge Zins in character...just anuther RidgeRed. It's only until they've got some age on them that they turn into something really interesting...but still different from other Calif Rhones.
As I noted recently that there appears to be more effort being put into the Ridge ATP Zins, w/ more fruit showing and less Ridge winemaking. And that's what I'm seeing in this latest Ridge Rhone ATP. One of the best young Ridge Syrahs I can recall. And I see no reason it won't age well, despite being very drinkable now.
Tom