2006 Ridge Geyserville, 70% Zinfandel, 18% Carignane, 10% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro, 14.6% alc., $34.99: Showing an attractive garnet robe, this delivers pretty, velvet-like black raspberry, plum and lavender flavors and aromas shaded with some moderate Draper-esque perfume and a moderate sweetness as well, although this is indeed a dry wine. Very pleasurable on the palate and yet deceptively well structured for 5-8 years of aging. With fine balance and a lovely, refined, almost claret-like character, it’s obviously Mr. Ridge, and while not the best Geyserville ever made, it’s certainly quite harmonious and enjoyable.
2006 Ridge Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley, 80% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 4% Carignane, 14.7% alc., $34.99: Showing a lovely dark color, this exudes a dusty, brambly black raspberry nose accented with some subtle mocha coffee and soft lavender, all of which carries over onto the palate. Very much in a claret-like style; earthy, and not as rich, ripe or intense as I expected, nor as much as the last several vintages. Still, there is a nice core of fruit here, with good depth and structure, a silky texture and good length. Rather atypical, to say the least, but quite enjoyable for what it is.
-from Holiday Hi-jinx with Mr. Ridge and more...
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