My Ridge ATP/Z-List arrived Fri, so decided to Pobega:
1. Ridge DemosteneRanch AlexVlly/SonomaCnty (50% Zin/Carignane; 13.0%; 29 brls; bttld Nov 2017; 95 yr old
vnyd; Drk: 8/17-8/23-8/24: JO) 2016: Very dark color; very strong/intense blackberry/boysenberry/Zin/quite spicy/bit black cherry cola/bit licorice some dusty/OV modest Am.oak/vanilla/Ridge oak fairly complex quite lovely nose; lightly tart/tangy very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin/ripe/bit licorice/quite spicy strong vanilla/Ridge oak/toasty some earthy/dusty/OV fairly structured flavor w/ some rugged/chewey tannins; very long/lingering very strong blackberry/Zin/boysenberry/ripe/quite spicy fairly dusty/OV strong vanilla/Ridge oak bit earthy good depth rather structured fairly rich/lush finish w/ some ripe/chewey tannins; needs another 4-6 yrs; some like the LS Zin but not as bright/zippy; a terrific addition to the Ridge portfolio. $35.00/ $31.50 (ATP)
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2. Ridge Geyserville AlexVlly/SonomaCnty (68% Zin/18% Carignane/12% PS/2% AlicanteBouschet; 14.5%;
bttld Jan 2019; Drk: 8/18-8/33: EB) 2017: Very dark color; very strong blackberry/Zin/very spicy/bit black cherry cola light vanilla/Ridge oak/bit smokey some earthy/dusty/OV slight sauvage/rustic fairly complex nose; lightly tart very strong blackberry/Zin/ripe/very spicy some vanilla/Ridge oak quite structured great depth bit complex flavor w/ modest ripe/smooth tannins; very long/lingering very strong blackberry/Zin/very spicy/bit licorice/black cherry cola fairly dusty/OV modest smokey/Ridge oak/vanilla quite structured some complex finish w/ some ripe tannins; a terrific new Geezer that should go out many yrs. $45.00/ $40.50 (Z-List)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Demostene: This is one David Demostene, who operated SausalVnyd wnry from 1956 on. This was purchased from the family in 2012 by SilverOak, who has a vnyd nearby. Most people thought the Zin was doomed. But they only planted to younger vines to Cabernet, but retained the old block of Zin/Carignane....to their credit. Since SilverOak doesn't plan to do a Zin, Ridge was able to get the grapes from this ancient block.
This is a new vnyd for the Ridge portfolio. When they bring out a new vnyd, my reaction is often...meh..just another pretty face of a Ridge Zin that under-delivers. This one was not the case. I was mightly impressed by this Zin...at the level of the LS/Geyserville/Pagani/Jimsomare. I'm going ack for more.
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2. Geezerville: Another of this new release that mightly impressed me. Seems to show more pure Zin/blackberry fruit and not as mussed up by the Carignane that often gives it a bit of a rustic character. This is a pure focused expression of OV Zin.
Both of these wines impressed me. They both showed a more intense expression of Zin fruit and less of the usually dominant Ridge winemaking & Am.oak. If you will, less Ridge and more towards Carlisle/Bedrock/O&F part of the Zin spectrum.
But..then...what would I know? Only been tasting Ridge Zins for 50 yrs!!
Tom