New Releases from Ridge Vineyards

WINE TALK
#1

Ridge recently sent me samples of their new releases. All of these wines were released on 4/1/21.

2019 Ridge Geyserville – Purple in color. 14.5% ABV. 71% Zinfandel, 19% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. Fantastic nose of red fruits, anise and pepper. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Concentrated and powerful with tremendous purity of fruit. Big and burly. Raspberry, cherry, tobacco and pepper on the palate. The finish is long with prominent tannins. This will need some time in the cellar. Best over the next decade or so. $45 at the winery and retail. My rating: 95 points.

2019 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles – Dark crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. 100% Zinfandel from Benito Dusi Ranch in Paso Robles. Sublime nose of bright red fruits, licorice and pepper. Medium body with mouth watering acidity. Fresh and vibrant. Raspberry compote, black cherry, iron and pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Delicious, compelling and easy to drink. Best over the next 2-4 years. $35 at the winery and retail. My rating: 93 points.

2019 Ridge Zinfandel East Bench – Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. 100% Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley. Perfumed nose of red fruits, plums and pepper. Medium body with perfect acidity. Lush and rich with bright red fruits in spades. Strawberry, raspberry liqueur, earth and pepper on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. The best vintage of East Bench that I can remember. Brilliant Zinfandel. Best over the next 3-5 years. $32 at the winery and retail. My rating: 94 points.

Ridge has always been a favorite but quality seems to have taken even a further step up in recent years.

Full write up on Zinfandel Chronicles - New Releases from Ridge Vineyards | Zinfandel Chronicles

Cheers, Tom
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#2

Just got my club shipment of these three wines. Letting them sit a couple of weeks, then it’s time to pop corks.

Did you decant at all?

#3

I did not decant but you might want to consider that with the Geyserville.

Tom

#4

Tom - how does the geyserville compare with recent years’ releases?

#5

Which of the ridge zins tend to show the most oak early on?

#6

For me the 18 and 19 Geezers are the best versions of this wine from the past decade.

Tom

1 Like
#7

Just tasted these three a couple of hrs ago.
Pretty consistent w/ my take on these wines. Definitive TNs to follow.
Tom

#8

Maybe I had an issue, or pnp’d too soon, but the east bench was not my flavor profile/style at all. I usually like that wine, but this years was hot on the alcohol and frankly to my taste was a little “cheap wine” tasting. The geezer was great, although I do believe 18 is better as it is a fuller and more diverse palate at this time. Just my 2 cents.

#9

Tom Lee wrote:
For me the 18 and 19 Geezers are the best versions of this wine from the past decade.

Thanks for the notes, Tom. Geyserville is an annual purchase for us. If the '19 is in the same league as the '18, we will be happy campers.

Ed