WTN: Ridge Zin CarmichaelRanch '10...(short/boring)
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:36 pm
Tried this last night as I was cooking away:
1. Ridge Zin CarmichaelRanch/RanchoSotoyomi/SonomaCnty (12% PS/4% Carignane; 14.7%; Bttld: April 2012; 35 brls;
Drk: 1/12-1/17-1/19: EB) 2010: Very dark/near black color; very strong blackberry/boysenberry/blueberry/Zin quite RRV-like very spicy some dusty/OV light vanilla/Am.oak/toasty fairly intense nose; slightly tart very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin lush/rich structured/balanced some vanilla/Am.oak/toasty rather dusty/OV huge fruit flavor w/ some tannins; very long/lingering very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin/framboise lush/rich/structured/balanced some vanilla/Am.oak/toasty rather dusty/OV finish w/ some tannins; needs several yrs yet; a rather non-Ridge terrific Zin. A steal at $28.00 (ATP)
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And a wee BloodyPulpit:
1. When my 2-btl Ridge ATP shipment arrives, I immediately rip it open to see what I got this month...usually more w/ mild curiosity than any real sense of excitement. "Ohhh...a Carmichael Zin....well..at least it's not a Carignane". I put one btl into a tasting tableau and usually try the other one in the next few days. As often as not...I just sorta shrug my shoulders.."Nice Ridge red..just that". Mazzoni/Buchinagni/Ponzo/Carmichael...generally nice Zins..but don't measure up to the LS/Pagani/Geyserville/Dusi.
When I poured the first glass last night..."Ohhh..that's pretty dark for a Ridge ATP Zin". And when I took that first sniff and that first swallow..."Wow...this is something different...not the usual Ridge ATP".
The Ridge ATP Zins usually speak more of Ridge winemaking than anything. But this Carmichael is different....it has an intensity and depth of fruit that's unusual for an ATP. Furthermore, it has a strong expression of RRV Zin and dusty/OldVine character. Though it's definitely a Ridge signature on this wine...it has more intense fruit than a Ridge ATP usually has. It actually reminded me a lot of a Bedrock Zin. Not your usual Ridge ATP Zin. Kudos to EricBaugher on this wine. I'm going back for more.
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2. 2010: I think the Ridge 2010 Zins are, overall, some of the best Ridge Zins in a fair number of yrs. They're hitting 'em outta the park.
Tom
1. Ridge Zin CarmichaelRanch/RanchoSotoyomi/SonomaCnty (12% PS/4% Carignane; 14.7%; Bttld: April 2012; 35 brls;
Drk: 1/12-1/17-1/19: EB) 2010: Very dark/near black color; very strong blackberry/boysenberry/blueberry/Zin quite RRV-like very spicy some dusty/OV light vanilla/Am.oak/toasty fairly intense nose; slightly tart very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin lush/rich structured/balanced some vanilla/Am.oak/toasty rather dusty/OV huge fruit flavor w/ some tannins; very long/lingering very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin/framboise lush/rich/structured/balanced some vanilla/Am.oak/toasty rather dusty/OV finish w/ some tannins; needs several yrs yet; a rather non-Ridge terrific Zin. A steal at $28.00 (ATP)
_____________________
And a wee BloodyPulpit:
1. When my 2-btl Ridge ATP shipment arrives, I immediately rip it open to see what I got this month...usually more w/ mild curiosity than any real sense of excitement. "Ohhh...a Carmichael Zin....well..at least it's not a Carignane". I put one btl into a tasting tableau and usually try the other one in the next few days. As often as not...I just sorta shrug my shoulders.."Nice Ridge red..just that". Mazzoni/Buchinagni/Ponzo/Carmichael...generally nice Zins..but don't measure up to the LS/Pagani/Geyserville/Dusi.
When I poured the first glass last night..."Ohhh..that's pretty dark for a Ridge ATP Zin". And when I took that first sniff and that first swallow..."Wow...this is something different...not the usual Ridge ATP".
The Ridge ATP Zins usually speak more of Ridge winemaking than anything. But this Carmichael is different....it has an intensity and depth of fruit that's unusual for an ATP. Furthermore, it has a strong expression of RRV Zin and dusty/OldVine character. Though it's definitely a Ridge signature on this wine...it has more intense fruit than a Ridge ATP usually has. It actually reminded me a lot of a Bedrock Zin. Not your usual Ridge ATP Zin. Kudos to EricBaugher on this wine. I'm going back for more.
__________________
2. 2010: I think the Ridge 2010 Zins are, overall, some of the best Ridge Zins in a fair number of yrs. They're hitting 'em outta the park.
Tom