TNs: 1986 Ridge Santa Cruz Cab and 2004 Prum Riesling

WINE TALK
1

We had both of these last night starting with white bean soup and then finishing with a slightly blackened Talapia with potatoes au gratin and Brussels sprouts.

  • 2004 S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (11/13/2009)
    Slight diesel on the nose, lots of tropical fruit, peaches and a wee bit of RS that is ok with the acidity. Nice full-bodied oiliness to the palate. Went very well with white bean soup with bacon. (90 pts.)
  • 1986 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (11/13/2009)
    Blind you would think mature Bordeaux. Cedar, leather, but still good fruit and gripping tannins. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cab Franc, 11.9% ABV. Just delicious. Draper’s notes had the prime drinking window from 1993 -1998, so this is a tad beyond, and maybe, probably, this was brighter 10 years ago. But for mature Bdx lovers, this was a real treat. On top of it, this was from a 375 ml. The cork came out in one piece, and had not staining. Almost pristine…so if you have a 750 ml or a mag, don’t miss this one now. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

2

You’re joking, right? Laube scored that 68 pts. on release.

3

Thanks for the TN on the Ridge. …as you know I love these old Ridges.

Oh and Laube was wrong neener

4

I stumbled on this wine about 8 or 10 years ago, and that first bottle was just drop dead gorgeous! So, I think you’re right on about its peak. I’ve plucked up a bunch for cheap since, but passed on those 375s because of a serious decline in the last few bottles (still quite good, though).

I brought a bottle for one of our lunch wines to a Monte Bello futures tasting last year and was able to share a bit with Mr. Draper, which was fun. He hadn’t had it in a decade or so. (Richard’s notes from that bottle are on CT.)

5

And he rated the '86 Monte Bello 82 pts… I’ve gotten a lot of those cheap, too.

6

These just moved WAY up on my list of must aquires. [stirthepothal.gif]

7

On a bad day, no way that Ridge merited 68. Maybe a dyslexia problem?

8

Inspired by this thread, I took a bottle of this last night to the SQN release party at Dr. Wu’s. I’ll let others post what they thought of it before I do.

9

Funny you should say that. When I drank my last bottle six years ago I wrote “more like Leoville Las Case '86 and Leoville Poyferre '88 at the dinner than the Far Niente '90 cab.” I scored it only 88, but it was still pleasing. Certainly not a 68!

10

More pronounced ripe fruit than I thought there would be (which isn’t a negative). butI thought the finish was very short and clipped. Certainly no 68 but I would say mid-ish–80’s if I were to score it.

Btw Andy you left way too early, wait till Cris posts what we ended up opening!

11

By the time I left, I think Joe and I had opened every bottle of red in the house…so much for that vertical, horizontal or whatever it was that the good doctor was saving… [rofl.gif]

As for the Ridge, I thought it was nice. It did have Bordeaux-like qualities, but I think I would have guessed California even blind…just something about the fruit. It’s certainly fully mature; I’ve never had the wine before, but suspect it may be in slow decline. Wasn’t my favorite wine of the night, but I did go back for a second glass. 68 is laughable.

Good seeing you guys. And thanks for the wine (and caviar)!

Cheers!

12

Not my favorite Ridge but not the worst either. It was fairly ripe fruited for a Ridge and was surprised it still showed that way after so many years. Good wine, varietally correct unlike one certain cult wine of the same type we had that night. But I knew the 68 on the Ridge was a joke going in…
[stirthepothal.gif]

13

Thanks for the notes! I have one of these 375’s… Maybe I’ll crack it tonight.

14

Sorry about leaving early, but getting up that morning at 4:30 was starting to take it’s toll. The clipped finish on this was the biggest detractor for me, but I too was surprise to see as much bright fruit on it as there was.