By: AJ McClellan
We had the winemaker of Ridge vineyards, John Olney, in to taste us on the new lineup of Ridge wines. I have to tell you every time I try these wines I am impressed. Everything from the bottom to the top in this lineup was a great bottle and exceptional value….
2009 Ridge York Creek Zinfandel – A great bottle, spicy with big black fruits and a hint of spice on the back end.
2008 Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel – This was my second favorite of the Zinfandels. Red and black fruits with soft tannins and a black pepper spice on the back end of the palate that announced this wines Zinfandel heritage.
2008 Ridge Lytton Zinfandel – My favorite of the Zinfandels. The nose was bright with white pepper, dark red roses, plums, and red currants. The palate was easy drinking with soft fruit notes and a load of clove and nutmeg.
2009 Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel – Light and elegant on the nose and palate. This wine showed brighter than the other Zinfandels with Bing cherry and raspberry. There was still a slight undertone of pepper and blackberry jam but the wine as a whole was a lighter than the other Zins…
2008 Ridge Montebello Cabernet Sauvignon – I was very impressed with this wine. The nose was big and powerful with black cherries, plum pie, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The palate was boisterous with big pepper, tobacco, leather, and ripe black fruits. A long finish completed this wine nicely.