Had these three last week at our Pig+Fig tasting:
1. Ridge LyttonSprings Rose DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty (12.5%; 41% Grenache/39% Zin/11% Cinsault/9% Counoise; bttld Jan '23; Hrvstd: Aug 25-Sept 13) 2022: Pale salmon color; very fragrant floral/strawberry/spicy quite lovely aromatic nose; lightly tart quite dry but not austere very perfumed/strawberry/Grenache/floral quite spicy bit metallic/tangy lovely flavor w/ slight tannins; med.long finish mimics flavor fairly dry; quite a pretty rose bordering towards Rhone rose w/o the earthiness w/ lots of strawberry/Grenache character; a bit pricey for a rose at $35.00 (ATP)
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2. Idlewild Grignolino RanchoCoda/RRV (12.5%) 2022: Med.light color; very bright fragrant/strawberry/cherry/Grignolino very floral beautiful/aromatic slight earthy/dusty nose; quite tart/tangy very bright/floral/strawberry/cherry blossom some lightweight bit sharp/tannic/angular lovely perfumed flavor w/ light bitey/angular tannins; very long bright/strawberry/Grignolino slight dusty/earthy very perfumed finish w/ light angular tannins; needs several yrs yet to soften the tannins; probably would work better as a rose than a lightish red but quite a perfumed expression of Grignolino. $42.00
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3.Idlewild Freisa RanchoCodaVnyd/RRV (12.9%) 2022: Ver dark color; very strong very floral/Nebb/lilacs some tarry/pungent/licorice light toasty/oak fairly intense nose; rather tart fairly intense licorice/earthy/dusty very strong floral/Nebb/lilacs/violets/blackberry structured flavor w/ ample rough tannins; very long/lingering rough finish that mimics the flavor; lots of similarity to Nebb but rather more rough/rustic & not the high-toned floral character; badly needs 3-8 yrs of age; quite a good expression of Freisa. $42.00
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More krikkledip from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Freisa, is a close relative to Nebbiolo. DNA indicated that it is a parent of Nebb, though there are some who dispute that assertion. But its similiarity to Nebbiolo wines is pretty much indisputed.
The distributed Freisa in Calif came from the original planting in the Jackson/UCDavis planted in the late 1800's. There are several producers of Freisa in Calif but Sam's is probably the best. Sam is killing it on Italian varietals.
We also tasted the Ridge Mancini Carignane '21 that was quite good, and the Ridge Boatman Zin '20, which was pleasant enough but just that.
Tom