We tasted these two Ridge Reds at Pig+Fig last week:
1. Ridge Frediani Ranch NapaVlly (14.1%; 40% Valdiguie/37% PetiteSirah/23% Charbono; 57 brls; bttld April 2024; Drk: 2/24-2/34: SR; water & tartaric addition) RidgeVnyds/LyttonSprings 2022: Very dark/near black color; fairly strong grapey/strawberry/Gamay slight alcoholic/volatile fairly vanilla/Ridge oak classic Ridge Red nose; bit soft some alcoholic/volatile strong grapey/Gamay strong Ridge oak flavor w/ light gentle tannins; long strong grapey/Gamay finish that tracks flavor; reminds some of the old Ridge Gamays of old but not the depth but more up-front fruit; pleasant enough Ridge Red but don't see it going out to '34. $42.00
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2. Ridge Mataro PaganiVnyd SonomaVlly (13.8%; 75% Mataro/25% Zin; 30 brls; bttld March 98; Drk: 1/98-1/03: PD 1996: Dark color w/ some browning; rather cedary/pencilly/oldRed quite tired bit oxidized rather earthy not very attractive nose; soft quite tired/dried out little fruit rather cedary/oldRed flavor w/ little tannins; long oxidized/tired Red finish that tracks flavor; pretty much dead & gone & quite dried out. $35.00
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More jizzlespurt from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Back in the '70's, Ridge made some Gamays that were quite good. Some of the best Gamays ever made in Calif. Valdiguie was originally called Napa Gamay until it was corectly identified as Valdiguie. Now NapaGamay is no longer permitted as the varietal name.
I was surprised that the '96 Mataro/Mourvedre was not showing a bit better. Paul's call was pretty right on for its longevity.
Tom