TN: 1996 Ridge Zinfandel Nervo (USA, California, Sonoma County)

WINE TALK
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  • 1996 Ridge Zinfandel Nervo - USA, California, Sonoma County (1/1/2010)
    The label was remarkably decayed from moisture to the point that it’s hard to tell what it is! Opens with a perfect cork. No sediment. Not a bit of bricking, still deep red with lighter edges. At first nice but simple, medium to light weight, not much nose. Within 10 minutes it blossoms. The nose reveals great young fruit, ripe berries. More presence on the palate, weightier. Much Asian spice, tart red and black fruit. Some menthol. On the finish the fruit follows with more lingering spice. $15 on Winebid; I’m glad I have one left.

I have no idea if this is the best time to drink this wine. I only know that this is lovely stuff, complex, intriguing and a treat. Yum. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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But wait - Zinfandel doesn’t age!!!

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Great find - who cares what the label looks like when the wine inside is rockin’! And a great deal to boot!

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Great label shot! Thanks for the notes, Chris. I find them especially interesting to compare to mine from back in the relatively early days of Gang of Pour. Knowing Ridge Zins like I do, I’m not at all surprised to see that this one is still going strong w/well over a decade under its belt.

Cheers,

geo

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That Draper guy seems to think the little Z grape can age!

I’d never had a Nervo but Glenn Levine had commented on it 1996 Ridge Nervo Zinfandel - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers. When I saw the label picture on Winebid I cracked up but the rest of the description was positive so I went out on a $15 limb (brave guy huh?) What was amazing was how quickly this went from a nice little wine to excellent, no more than 15 minutes. Two hours later it was still going strong. There’s a glass left though I’m not betting it making 24 hours. Maybe I’m wrong though.

Thanks for the notes from Day-twah!

PS: I’m glad you included the alcohol level in your note (14.3%) since all I could read was the .3 on my label!

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Somehow, there never seems to be a glass of Mr. Ridge left over the next day at our house…

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ain’t that the truth! tn from a BBQ last summer…

this was the inaugural Ridge wine from the Nervo Vineyard, just W of Hwy 101 near Geyserville. brought to a friend’s BBQ yesterday i had but one glass; my buddy Dean did try to steer this bottle into his cooler and serve swill but i corrected him! cork was densely soaked thru its bottom 1/4" and otherwise perfect. wine was so fresh and clean, simply no sign of age. just beginning to espouse secondary characteristics this bottle was 88% Zin, 8 % PS and 4% Carignane. bright, darker fruit with spice dominates the typical Zin nose and the taste was just delicious. i think this ages effortlessly for another 5 years. i have read the 1997 was a lesser wine but the 1999 was very good again.