WTN: 2007 Jimsomare Zin

Tom's recent roundup of Ridges reminded me that I had recently brought home a Ridge 2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Zinfandel, Jimsomare from offsite storage, so we cracked it last night before and with pizza. Concentrated, rich-and-tart raspberry and blackberry fruit; jammy, but more "homemade" than "Smucker's." 14.7%, perceptible only in texture. With air, some midpalate depth emerges, but the wine also loses some of the brightness that made it immediately appealing on opening. The wood seems integrated and the tannins have been rounded off, but the flavors remain quite primary. I don't think this will repay longer aging, and I'm glad we opened it now.

[Jenise]

Interesting note. To be honest, I don't think I realized that Ridge still made the Jimsomare. I associate it with the old-old days of California winemaking.

And not really relevant, but I sure am not happy with my 07 Geysers. Plodding, low acid. I've blamed it on the vintage but Lou Kessler seemed taken aback by my condemnation so maybe I actually got a heat-damaged lot. Dunno--just no good experience with 07 Ridges.

I didn't buy any of the regular bottlings in 2007, so no Geyserville: all I have are some ATPs -- Buchignani Zin and Carignane, Dusi and Mazzoni Zin.

But, as it happens, in looking at my spreadsheet, I see that I actually have two more of these Jimsomare Zins. I think I now remember the story: they sent a single bottle as part of an ATP shipment, and based on having heard stories about older Jimsomares (both Zinfandel and Cabernet), I ordered two extras. So, I'll get to see what this does with a little more age after all. I wouldn't call it plodding, but I do worry that it doesn't have the structure to go too much longer.

(I also just saw that there's still a 99 Geyserville listed on the spreadsheet -- but in the "location" field it says "MISSING," dammit!)