Last night, I kept hearing the squeaky/little voice from over on the sideboard..."Try me...try me", so I cracked:
1. Ridge Geyserville AlexVlly/SonomaCnty (60% Zin/24% Carignan/12% PS/4% Mataro; 14.6%; bttld Jan 2016;
Drk: 10/15-10/22-10/23: EB) 2014: Dark color; very strong blackberry/raspberry/Zin very spicy/bright some dusty/OV bit earthy light vanilla/smokey/Am.oak/subtle DraperPerfume quite aromatic/perfumed lovely complex nose; lightly tart bright/vibrant/scintillating raspberry/blackberry/Zin/very spicy quite dusty/OV very balanced/structured light vanilla/Am.oak/bit smokey somewhat savory/earthy flavor w/ modest ripe/smooth tannins; very long/lingering lightly tart modest vanilla/Am.oak/smokey strong raspberry/blackberry/Zin very spicy rather dusty/OV balanced/smooth/silky/bright finish w/ some smooth/ripe/polished tannins; a beautiful if atypical Geyserville; smells & tastes less Ridge Zin and more like Geyserville; lighter than Geyservilles of old and less of the old Geyserville sauvage/feral/rustic character; less about power and more about elegance & restraint; an absolutely electryfing wine. $36.00 (Z-List)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. It seems Ridge has hit 'em out of the park on their '14 Zins. I was blown away by the '14 HookerCreek...now the same w/ this Geyservilla '14. I can hardly wait to try the LyttonSpring and Pagani '14 next Fall.
I always have a tough time choosing between the Ridge Pagani or Geyserville which one I like best. The both have a sauvage/feral/slightly rustic character to them and are usually the biggest of the Ridge Zins. This Geyserville '14 is more towards the style of the LS Zins...more bright/elegant/vibrant Zin fruit. This Geyserville strikes me as more DryCreekVlly in character than any Ridge Zin I can recall. An absolutely stunning Zin, it is.
Did I mention how much I hate wines like this....wines that keep calling you back to have anuther glass...so that, when you sit down for dinner, the btl is 2/3'rds gone.
Tom