WTN: 2014 Ridge Merlot

Ridge 2014 Santa Cruz Mountains Merlot, Estate. After talking smack about Ridge the other day, I'm glad to have been reminded how great their wine can be. This 100% Merlot was in a perfect place: overflowing aromas ranging from flowers to red and black fruit to cedar; a velvety texture, but the short-pile kind, the kind that gives you a little pleasant feedback; and a finish that seemed to linger forever. This is one of the Estate wines that you get if you're in the Monte Bello Club, which we were for about a decade, so this was a one-off, and while I could gnash my teeth and complain about how I wish I'd bought more -- which would be true -- I'd really rather just be grateful that I ever get to enjoy wine this good.

[David M. Bueker]

Sounds great!

They did a Merlot mixed six-pack for Berserker Day a few years ago, it was 2016 Torre and 2016 Estate. I tried the Torre early, and it was darned near impenetrable.

Still have most of the bottles, so perhaps in another couple of years. Thanks for the data point.

This was my oldest, so I should have some 16 too. I think I had one bottle of a Torre but it’s not in CT and I don’t remember it. I probably opened it in its infancy and had an experience like yours!