Ridge Vineyards

I sat down today with Dan Buckler, the regional sales manager for Ridge Vineyards, to taste through some of their current lineup.

As usual, the wines were well-made, balanced, expressed a sense of place, and fun to drink. What else would you expect from a winery that’s been around for fifty years?! (Speaking of sense of place, check out their vineyard map at www.ridgewine.com/vineyards).

You can find great press about these guys everywhere, so I won’t bother singing their praises here, but I WILL tell you what I tried, and what I thought of each.

2009 Ponzo Vineyard Zinfandel (98% Zinfandel, 2% Petit Sirah) – A silky texture with tight red berry notes, Slightly acidic at first, but opened up over time, and tasted much more full after time in the glass. Average retail price is $28

2009 Paso Robles Zinfandel (95% Zinfandel, 5% Petit Sirah) – From the Dusi vineyard, the oldest in Paso Robles, this one is juicy, with cherry notes and a bit of spice. Average retail price is $30

2008 Geyserville (74% Zin, 17% Carignane, 6% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro). The Geyserville is a “field blend” that Ridge has been making since 1966. It varies each year, but it is primarily Zinfandel. The additional grapes really round this wine out. It’s fat, juicy, kind of briary and well worth the average retail price of $35.

2009 York Creek Zinfandel (93% Zin and 7% Petit Sirah) – This is a spicy, full-bodied Zin. This is also the last vintage that this wine will be in distribution, and starting next year it will be available through their mailing list and at the winery only. Also well worth the average retail price of $30, so I suggest you get some now, or sign up for their mailing list!

2007 Santa Cruz Cab/Merlot ( 58% Cab and 42% Merlot) – This was a little thin, but like the Ponzo Zin, it developed in the glass and filled out. Some clove and dark fruit flavors helped to carry it along. Average retail price is $36

2007 Montebello (79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc) – It’s always a treat to taste the wine that Robert Parker has called “one of the candidates for the longest-lived Bordeaux blend made in California”. Full-bodied, but mellow and balanced, it is sure to age beautifully, and I would give it at least 3 years to develop in the bottle before drinking. Average retail price is $145.

As always, these are just my opinions, so I suggest you try these for yourself!

Cheers,

Chuck

MT DIFFICULTY AND MORE...

R.B. Phillips Import Co.

I’ve been treated to some really nice lunches while tasting wine, and I think it’s high time I start giving kudos to the restaurants that I think are exceptional. I tried wine with Randall Phillips (of R.B. Phillips Import Co.) at Julia’s Bistro today (www.juliasbistro.com), and I was really impressed. I had tortilla soup and a corn-encrusted red snapper, and both were excellent. If you’re in the neighborhood stop in and give them a try. (But don’t park behind them unless there is a parking meter you can put money into, because you might get a parking ticket for an expired meter any way! Don't ask me how I know that...)

Now, back to the wine... we tasted several from New Zealand, but also from Tasmania and Spain. ALL were good buys, and a few were stellar for the price!

I look forward to trying more wines from Randall in the future, but here’s what I recommend right now.

2010 Mt Difficulty ‘Roaring Meg’ Pinot Gris (Central Otago, NZ) – Very complex, with hints of grassiness and peach. Well worth the average retail price of $16

2009 Mt. Difficulty ‘Roaring Meg’ Riesling (Central Otago, NZ) – I was blown away by this one. Racy, fruity, slightly sweet with nod to the Alsace style. It would be rewarding even at twice the price. Average retail is $15

2010 Mt Difficulty ‘Roaring Meg’ Pinot Noir (Central Otago, NZ) – Notes of ribbon candy and earth offer this fruity Pinot and added dimension. Good structure and balance make it worth the average price of $23

2010 Selaks Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, NZ) – It’s nice to come across a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that doesn’t beat you over the head with flavor. This has everything you’d expect (grassiness, grapefruit and minerals), but in a refined style. The average retail price of $17 is right where it should be.

2010 Selaks Ice Wine (NZ) The winemaker helped nature out with this ice wine, by picking ultra ripe grapes, and then freezing them before pressing. Let’s call it “man-made” Ice Wine! It comes in a 375ml bottle, is NOT cloying, and has just the right amount of acidity. The flavor is reminiscent of Crème Brulee. Perfect for dessert at the average retail price of $20

2010 Woolundry Road Cab Sauv (McLaren Vale, South Australia) – This is a light, fun little Cab full of spice and red berries. A crowd pleaser with an average retail price of $11

2008 South Pinot Noir (Tasmania) - I found this VERY interesting. It’s light in style and flavor, but it has a velvety texture to it that makes it really cool. An easy drinking Pinot, with soft red fruit, that’s worth the average price tag of $20

2008 Gladium Tempranillo Crianza (La Mancha, Spain) – What a bargain! Dark and juicy with notes of tea and leather, all for the average price of $15. I thought it would be $10 higher! This is a standout!