A Visit to Ridge!

I have to say that in addition to making delicious wines, Ridge has some very good and personable people working their Lytton Springs tasting room! Consistently enjoyable experience, even when dressed in cycling clothes!

So...highlights:

2012 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon. I know this is their "normal" wine (not the Monetebello...two years until I get my allocation!) but it is simply a slurpable, classic cabernet even as a baby! There is a delicious freshness to the wine that I have found only in a few wineries (Corison, Clos du Val), with plum skin, great acidic balance, modest alcohol, earth, cassis fruit. This as a delicious wine.

2011 Ridge Merlot (this is the Merlot that goes into the Montebello). Again, quite fresh. Really fine mouth feel, with fine-grained tannins. Black plum fruit. Delicious stuff.

2012 Ridge Pagani Zinfandel Quite bright and juicy...berry fruit, plenty of acid for a zin. Delicious and enjoyable and bright!

2012 Ridge Lytton Springs Estate. Much richer and earthier...maybe more complex? The gentleman said this is their ageable zinfandel blend, and one can taste the Petit Sirah in this!

Finally...the 2007 Lytton Springs was stunning. Again...earthier side of zinfandel blend. Great mouth feel. Definitely showing some delicious funkyness from the age. A delicious wine!

[Jenise]

Now that we've made that hill in a car, I'm nothing short of amazed at you doing it on a bike. Did you taste the Chardonnays? I bought the 12 estate because dammit this was Ridge even though in my heart of hearts I thought it too hot, and by the same token took a chance on the 11 Monte Bello chardonnay even though we didn't taste it. I'm convinced that I'll live to deem the 2nd decision a better one than the first.

Now that we've made that hill in a car, I'm nothing short of amazed at you doing it on a bike. Did you taste the Chardonnays? I bought the 12 estate because dammit this was Ridge even though in my heart of hearts I thought it too hot, and by the same token took a chance on the 11 Monte Bello chardonnay even though we didn't taste it. I'm convinced that I'll live to deem the 2nd decision a better one than the first.

Awwww.. I should make it clear that I visited LYTTON SPRINGS, not Monte Bello.

A much more doable ride on a bicycle I am too plump right now to do Montebello (33 jeans instead of 32 )

I did ride six miles up Pine Flat Road, though!!!!

A nice tribute to Ridge in last week's Chronicle.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/thirst/ ... il-premium

I have a SEVERE addiction to joining wine clubs, and I am beginning to severely cul (too much wine on hand, too much money) but I am sticking with Ridge!

Pine Flat Road is a serious climb.
And yeah, Ridge, either Montebello or Lytton Springs, is a good visit. The view from the Montebello Ridge tasting room can be spectacular!

I can;t recall if you said you ride, John?!!!

There were far more cyclists on Sunday than cars on Pine Flat. Although that was the road that young Kiwi racer was badly injured last year by a car.

I drove up Pine MOUNTAIN out of Cloverdale after going back to Ridge in my car to pick up the wine. That was a tough DRIVE in my somewhat clapped-out BMW! Let alone on a bicycle. I want to make another attempt on that road...maybe in October!

No, I'm not a bicyclist. I rode motorcycles in the 70s, and I drove SCCA race cars from '66 to '87. I do appreciate what riders are willing to do, and as I like the back lanes of Sonoma County, I meet many riders, most of whom are as polite as I try to be. Then there are those who insist on riding three abreast on West Dry Creek Road. Oh, well.

I am finishing a 2006 Ridge Geyserville from half bottle tonight and will be opening a 2007 Lytton Springs this week. Looking forward to it after your note, Brian.