I picked up a mixed cas of early 90s Ridge a few weeks ago. A couple bottles in and I’m not happy. Average bottles of 91 LS and 90 York Creek PS. At least I didn’t pay much…
Tim,
What was the issue with the bottle of 90 York Creek Petite? Over the hill? I’ve got some 92 York Creek left, and the last time I had it, it was still a youngster.
I bought a dozen bottles of early 90s Ridge from a place in Indianapolis. All bottles look perfect but the corks have been pretty well shot and they all seem off a bit from what would expect. I think it must have been poor storage.
Okay boys and girls, I’m not changing my vote - Lytton Springs is the shizzle - but hot damn the 09 Pagani Ranch is blowing my mind right now. Big, ripe, fruity, powerful, “in your face” Zin! Lots of tangy black berries - wild, ripe berries. Like the tangy blackberries off the vines at my place in the GA mountains. Some vanilla and nutmeg. A spice cake. A fantastic, early-drinking Zin. Structured enough to mature well.
The Pagani is out-kicking right now, IMHO, all the 09 Ridges I have had thus far, including Geezer, Lytton, Ponzo and East Bench.
Had the 2009 Ponzo last night, and it wasn’t a “crowd-pleasing” type as the fruit seemed restrained and a good amount of acid for a zin. Have liked the 3 Valley, Geyserville and LS so far much more. Looking forward to trying the East Bench and the Pagani - locally there seems to be a lot more of these and the prices have seemed to come down significantly in the last couple of years - for example the Ponzo was about $22.
Yea, prices for Ridge had dropped quite a bit, especially with the '07s. My experiences, however, have been that the high praise for the '09s by WA shot prices up high and made them less available. For for example, I paid $26.99 for the '08 LS, and even less for the 07 but perhaps as a result of the economic dump we had in 08, but the '09 LS, Geezer and Pagana are all over $30. Still damn good pricing for the quality.
Geyserville is my favorite. I think it combines elegance and richness in a way that suits my palate perfectly. There’s something about the flavor profile that I find extremely attractive. Decanting a 2009 right now. This will be the second bottle of this vintage that I taste.
I got sucked into trying one 09 LS. its a huge jammy wine if that what you want. Not for me at $35.
Hi Craig -
By being sucked into trying it, can we assume you are neither a Ridge fan nor a Zin fan? The '09 LS is definitely a largely structured and big fruit wine, but I do not find it at all out of character for LS.
I’ve never consumed a lot of Ridge but I’ve drank an ocaasional btl ever since my dad sold it in the 60s. I find the 09 to be too big and ripe, chewy & primary for my liking but I can see why Parker was all over it with his palate. That said, if this was aged a few years maybe it mellows out into something I’d like? My original comment was probably out of line since I’m making it from my mostly Euro centric palate point of a view. It’s a well made wine for those who like the style. If I drank another Ridge Zin I’d probably go for the one Parker rates 90pts. But you’re right I rarely buy or drink Zins.
Agree with Tim
I ended my TWA subscription in the late 90s, but I think Galloni not Parker rated the '09 Ridges. Killed me as his high scores made them harder to source locally and prices went up! Ugh. Like you, my palate is Euro-centric, as is about 90% of my purchases, but these Ridge Zins just rock my boat for unadulterated pleasure mixed with a healthy dose of complexity that many Zins lack.
I like most of them. All with some age on them. We dropped out of their ATP, when we moved to Santa Fe. Now we don’t have many left.
One time I was at Ridge they poured me some Zins I had never seen before. Were they listed as “late harvest?” I can’t remember before, but they were all 15+% alcohol and they were really good. Does this ring a bell? Am I confusing them with the ATP program?
+1
I didn’t get sucked into it, but I saw the 2009 LS on a wine list on half price wine night. I figured it was a sign to be getting a Ridge for $35 at a restaurant, and ordered it. Given how young it was the waiter put it through a vinturi and then decanted it. After about half an hour to 45 minutes, the wine had fully opened up. It was big, bigger than the glass, and I was glad there weren’t too many people sitting next to us in case the wine might need the extra space. Dark fruit/berries on the nose, no “jamminess” that I could detect, but if you don’t like this style of wine, that is what you would call it. Imperceptible tannins and low acids, with plenty of zin-typical attributes.
Compared with the Geyser’s I’ve had it was so different that I cannot understand the people who compare the two. To me the Geyser is a zin based claret, which is typically much more restrained, structured, and balanced. I like both, but find them very, very different. Maybe the 09 is an outlier?
Geyserville and Lytton Springs are in a flat footed tie for me. I love them both. The '91 Geyserville is one of the top 3 zins I have ever tasted, and the '99 Lytton is another one of the 3 (neither comes close to the insane beauty of the '71 York Creek Petite Sirah though).
I like the other Ridge Zins, especially the Pagani (still holding a '95), but they don’t reach the same heights for me, even the Jimsomare.
Roy - Ridge does some late picked Zins from time to time. There was a '97 Paso Robles that I bought and consumed a lot of. The Pagani gets a late picked designation once in a while as well. For a truly wild (though sweet) ride, try to get a hold of some Zin (or Petite) Essence!
Geyserville is my fave by a hair over Lytton, though it can vary year to year. Have has an occasional Pagani that tanks with them. I just like the address structure and complexity of the Geezer. But back when Putting Springs Winery made the Lytton Springs, I liked that best.
Roy, Ridge has made some LH zins. I recall a few back in the '90s but can’t remember specifics. Pagani maybe?
Always loved both Lytton Springs and Geyserville; Lytton Springs for immediate fireworks and Geyserville for sheer class but ultimately it has to be Geyserville for its breed and structure. Still enjoying the 97 Geyserville until it runs out. 