WTN: Ridge Geyserville 2017 (Alexander Valley)

We went to Prime Steak & Grill for dinner. This is one of our three favourite restaurants in Snorbens and on Mondays they have free corkage.

We had a 200g Fillet with chunky chips and Heritage Tomato side salad and enjoyed my last bottle of Ridge Geyserville 2017 (Alexander Valley). Because Zinfandel was under the minimum percentage it couldn’t be labelled as a varietal.

But I’m of the firm opinion that Zinfandel is vastly improved when blended with complementary varieties and the presence of 18% Carignan, 12% Petite Sirah and 2% Alicante Bouschet, plus its bottle age, made drinking this wine a sublime experience. I think it was perfectly matured and although I don't think it will fall apart soon I think it's at its peak now.

I've been buying and drinking Ridge Zins since the 1980s, but they're getting darn pricey now, so much so that for the first time I didn't bite at the latest Wine Society offer

We went to Prime Steak & Grill for dinner. This is one of our three favourite restaurants in Snorbens and on Mondays they have free corkage.

We had a 200g Fillet with chunky chips and Heritage Tomato side salad and enjoyed my last bottle of Ridge Geyserville 2017 (Alexander Valley). Because Zinfandel was under the minimum percentage it couldn’t be labelled as a varietal.

But I’m of the firm opinion that Zinfandel is vastly improved when blended with complementary varieties and the presence of 18% Carignan, 12% Petite Sirah and 2% Alicante Bouschet, plus its bottle age, made drinking this wine a sublime experience. I think it was perfectly matured and although I don't think it will fall apart soon I think it's at its peak now.

I've been buying and drinking Ridge Zins since the 1980s, but they're getting darn pricey now, so much so that for the first time I didn't bite at the latest Wine Society offer

Peter,
There's been a distinct change in winemaking at Ridge over the past 5 years, or perhaps more precisely a return to form. Alcohols levels are down, acidity is up, less extraction is also evident. The '22 Zins, tasted in situ at the winery a few years ago, displayed a sense of balance and restraint that IMO had been sadly missing over the previous decade. Just a public service announcement for a fellow long-term fan (I've likewise been drinking their wines since the '81 vintage and a photo of Paul Draper with me graces our wine cellar)

I have the 95 and 98 which I haven't touched for a few years - sounds like it is time to pop some corks!

[David M. Bueker]

Oh gosh yes, especially the ‘98. The ‘95 is a monumental Geyserville that will probably continue evolving for multiple decades,

Geyserville is my favorite Ridge wine, with the long defunct York Creek and Jimsomare Cabs in second place. One thing that is great about Geyserville (and the other non-cabs blends) is you can drink it pretty much any time, but I do love them with some serious age. The 02 is in a great spot whereas the 09 still tastes fairly young for my tastes. The 07 (58% Zinfandel, 22% Carignane, 18% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro) has been great for years and it’s quite a distinct vintage of this cuvee, maybe it’s the usually low Zinfandel that year.

One fun fact: there was a time when Ridge was labeling the ingredients in their wine, the stuff they would add when making the wine, which their credit was a short list. And in the Lytton Springs hasting room, they had this info on the walls for their most common bottlings and it was clear that they added acid to many of their reds, but in the case of Geyserville, they actually added a de-acidifier to lower the natural acidity! That made me like Geyserville even more.

I like Geyserville a lot, but no way any Ridge would beat Monte Bello as my fave. '
Thanks Mark re note re changes, I had some Ridge zins from early 20teens that left me scratching my head

When did the stylistic change kick in? I think the youngest Geyserville I’ve had is the 2013, which I think is great. I own some 2020 but I’ve not tried it.

I might put Monte Bello first on my favorite Ridge list, but I’ve had it so infrequently and most of what I’ve tried was much too young to really see its full glory. I had the 91 Monte Bello once , but it must’ve been a flawed bottle as I found it undrinkably oaky.. I do have some 04-06 Monte Bello in half bottles in the cellar but I figure even those need more time.

[David M. Bueker]

The Eric Baugher years (2008 - 2020) are controversial for some. He departed after 2020.