TN: 1989 Ridge Petite Sirah York Creek

WINE TALK
#1

1989 Ridge Petite Sirah York Creek - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District (8/4/2013)
Was I surprised that this was still dark purple, dense, brambly and tannic? No I was not. That’s pretty much what it was - a Petite Sirah from Ridge being true to its nature. Certainly drinkable now, and a proper companion to grilled foods on a cool summer evening. Is it going anywhere soon? Nope. It’s going to sit there and glare at people for a good 15 years or more. It will never be the '71 or '74, but it is what it is supposed to be, and that’s fine with me.

Posted from CellarTracker

#2

Have had this wine a few times and agree, it is an obelisk. I have preferred the 91 over the past year or two and if you are looking secondary development we both know to look further down the road. 85 Devils Hill is nice in that regard.

#3

We drank a bottle of the 1990 last winter and it was very good, if a bit simple, ready to drink and not seeming like it will be going down hill soon. I wouldn’t guess that it was 23 years old. I’m not a PS cheerleader due to the often tannic, monochromatic nature of the juice. I purchased this lone bottle upon release. It delivered what I expected and as a bonus, made a PS loving friend smile. [cheers.gif]

#4

The last Ridge York Creek I had was the 1999. Man, I wish they still made that.

I was able to find a few bottles of 2009 Ridge Lytton P.S. and I hope it is nearly as good.

#5

The Lytton is much more approachable.

#6

Great note and nice recollections for me of old York Creek PS. Bern’s Steakhouse has a retail store called Side Bern’s. They almost always have a few old cellar gems for sale there. I went through about 6 1973 York Creek PS a few years back. They were simply amazing wines. I felt like they would go on forever inside that cold cellar. Also bought some great Petite Sirah from Burgess(?) from about the same year that were also really nice.

#7

1973 Freemark Abbey PS also just kills.

#8

Charlie - the '71 and '74 are still just magic.

#9

Love the 79 Ridge YC PS, recently found the 80 merely good.

#10

There were. Half dozen old vintages on Wine Bid last week. Description said it came from the cellar of the daughter of one of the founders of Ridge. Here’s a leaky '77 still up this week.

#11

I wish I knew the vintage but it was Ridge PS that was my wine “a ha” moment…has turned into a very long (and expensive) hobby.

#12

I had very nice experiences with the 92 and 95 York Creeks … after they had a decade or so of age.