On 15 Jan 2007 06:50:14 -0800, "DaleW" > wrote:

> Thanks for note. Have you had '01Geyserville lately? Do you think it's
>drinking as well now?
>
>Mark Lipton wrote:
>> With a dinner of venison-black bean chili and sauteed snap peas with
>> shi'itakes, we opened:
>>
>> 2001 Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel
>> nose: blackberries, cedar, oak and a hint of pepper, taking on more
>> cedar notes after it had been open for an hour
>> palate: lush fruit, medium body, good acidity, cedar, blackberry
>>
>> This wine was sourced from 100% Zinfandel grown on the Dusi Ranch in
>> Paso (why it wasn't labeled Dusi Ranch, as some earlier bottlings were,
>> I don't understand). Not a profound Ridge Zin, but a damn good "fruit
>> forward" example and an excellent match with the chili.
>>
>> Mark Lipton

I didn't have any of the '01 Paso Robles, but did try the '01
Geyserville and noted that it was pretty full up front with a lot of
vanilla notes--something I don't usually associate with zins, but
Ridge can show it occasionally. Finish was "surprisingly watery".

I used to see Dusi Ranch bottlings quite regularly when I was still in
Ridge's ATP, getting their small quantity bottlings, but think they've
gone to the Paso Robles branding for the major release zin.

Last couple of years I've liked the Paso Robles better than Lytton
Springs consistently and often find it equal to the Geyserville.

Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com