October 20, 2018
Ridge Vineyards Wine Dinner!
1. 2007 Ridge "Monte Bello" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon
Blueberries, currants and flowers. The nose just pops out. Intense. Full body, with a round and velvety tannin structure and lots of currants, ripe strawberries. Very intense every. Black pepper at the finish. Muscular yet toned. Very structured yet balanced. This needs a minimum of four to five years of aging. Paul Draper says that perhaps this is as great as the legendary 1991. Made for aging. 97 points James Suckling
2. 2015 Ridge Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Coming all from the estate Monte Bello Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate checks in as a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. I suspect it's as good as many vintages of Monte Bello in the past and offers a gorgeous perfume of vanilla-tinged blackberries, blueberries, incense, cedar pencil, and bay leaf. Deep, medium to full-bodied, incredibly polished and perfectly balanced, with ultra-fine tannin, it's a knockout bottle of Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon that will keep for two decades and be drinkable for all of it. Rated 92 Jeb Dunnock
3. 2014 Ridge Perrone Vineyard Merlot
One of the more distinctive wines in the series, the 2013 Merlot Perrone brings together dark Merlot fruit and mountain tannin and expressive aromatics, all in a deep, virile style that will reward cellaring. Espresso, mocha, savory herbs, licorice and black stone fruits give the Perrone its masculine and sepia-toned personality. The Perrone is another standout from Ridge.” Rated 93 – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
4. 2016 Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel
The 2016 Zinfandel Paso Robles is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of ripe blackberries, plum preserves and rich spices. On the palate, it's full-bodied, lavish and velvety, with an ample core of ripe, sun-kissed fruit, lovely purity and a sweet, lingering finish. As ever, this is one of the very finest Zinfandels produced in the region, and its naked, effortless style should be a beacon for other producers to follow. It derives from the Benito Dusi Ranch, which is visible from Route 101 as you drive through Paso Robles. Ridge produced their first vintage from this site in 1967. Rated 93 The Wine Advocate
5. 2016 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel
The 2016 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is bright, focused and beautifully perfumed. Bright red cherry, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and rose petal notes are all lifted in this exquisite, finessed Zinfandel. Silky, medium in body and gracious, the 2016 is absolutely sublime. The oak is just a bit pronounced at this stage, but that should not be an issue over time. Rated 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
6. 2004 Ridge "Lytton Estate" Dry Creek Valley Syrah - 82% Syrah, 10% Viognier, 8% Grenache