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

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

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

Ed Rasimus wrote:
> 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?

> 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.

Dale: I haven't had the Geyserville recently. I typically give them 5+
years before opening, as I like them better with some bottle age. I'll
be opening the '95 soon, though ;-)

Ed: I still find that Geyserville is top o' the heap for me, with Lytton
Springs close behind, occassionally eclipsing it. What I value about
the Ridge Zins is the structure that accompanies the yummy fruitiness.
In recent years, the Pagani Ranch and Ponzo have vied with the Lytton
Springs for my affections, but I still give the nod to the Geyserville.

As we were drinking this wine, Jean said "This restores my faith in
Zinfandel" (we'd had a few Seghesios recently that left her cold) and
went on to say that over half of our Zin collection should be Ridge Zin,
to which I responded that, as of my last inventory, over 75% of our Zin
was from Ridge. I like the Zins of Cline and Seghesio, but only Biale
and Storybook Mountain really hit the same heights for me.

Mark Lipton

On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:55:13 -0500, Mark Lipton >
wrote:

>Ed Rasimus wrote:
>> 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?
>
>> 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.
>
>Dale: I haven't had the Geyserville recently. I typically give them 5+
>years before opening, as I like them better with some bottle age. I'll
>be opening the '95 soon, though ;-)

Envy rears its ugly head once again--I KNOW I should, but somehow I
can't hold wines that long. It gets reinforced regularly when I've got
something that I've been disciplined about and kept for a couple of
years yet one thing or another keeps getting the good intentions
dashed. I suspect it is that my consumption rates are consistently
ahead of my acquisition pace.
>
>Ed: I still find that Geyserville is top o' the heap for me, with Lytton
>Springs close behind, occassionally eclipsing it. What I value about
>the Ridge Zins is the structure that accompanies the yummy fruitiness.
>In recent years, the Pagani Ranch and Ponzo have vied with the Lytton
>Springs for my affections, but I still give the nod to the Geyserville.

100% agreement there. Geyserville is always the lead of Ridge
bottlings, a position that I think it gained in the early '90s. Before
that the flagship was Lytton Springs, but not lately. Pagani and Ponzo
are very consistent quality wines--the only question I'd have is with
regard to longevity for them compared to Geyserville. But, referring
back to Para. 1 above, not a problem for me.
>
>As we were drinking this wine, Jean said "This restores my faith in
>Zinfandel" (we'd had a few Seghesios recently that left her cold) and
>went on to say that over half of our Zin collection should be Ridge Zin,
>to which I responded that, as of my last inventory, over 75% of our Zin
>was from Ridge. I like the Zins of Cline and Seghesio, but only Biale
>and Storybook Mountain really hit the same heights for me.

I've never been particularly fond of Seghesio or Cline and
unfortunately never tasted Biale or Storybook Mt. My competition for
Ridge is Renwood--their Grandmere and Grandpere will really show some
muscle; and Fife--Redhead, Mendocino and Whaler bottlings are very
dependable.


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

Ed, thanks for Geezer note. I'm hoping mine doesn't show a watery
finsh.
Mark, my percentages are close, 73% of my Zin/Zin blends are Ridge. But
I actually don't cellar much Zin, usually preferring younger, so it's
73% of a small number (the remainder is Biale Crane Ranch and a lone
bottle of 1959 late harvest Primitivo- really).

Ed Rasimus wrote:
> On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:55:13 -0500, Mark Lipton >
> wrote:
>
> >Ed Rasimus wrote:
> >> 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?
> >
> >> 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.
> >
> >Dale: I haven't had the Geyserville recently. I typically give them 5+
> >years before opening, as I like them better with some bottle age. I'll
> >be opening the '95 soon, though ;-)
>
> Envy rears its ugly head once again--I KNOW I should, but somehow I
> can't hold wines that long. It gets reinforced regularly when I've got
> something that I've been disciplined about and kept for a couple of
> years yet one thing or another keeps getting the good intentions
> dashed. I suspect it is that my consumption rates are consistently
> ahead of my acquisition pace.
> >
> >Ed: I still find that Geyserville is top o' the heap for me, with Lytton
> >Springs close behind, occassionally eclipsing it. What I value about
> >the Ridge Zins is the structure that accompanies the yummy fruitiness.
> >In recent years, the Pagani Ranch and Ponzo have vied with the Lytton
> >Springs for my affections, but I still give the nod to the Geyserville.
>
> 100% agreement there. Geyserville is always the lead of Ridge
> bottlings, a position that I think it gained in the early '90s. Before
> that the flagship was Lytton Springs, but not lately. Pagani and Ponzo
> are very consistent quality wines--the only question I'd have is with
> regard to longevity for them compared to Geyserville. But, referring
> back to Para. 1 above, not a problem for me.
> >
> >As we were drinking this wine, Jean said "This restores my faith in
> >Zinfandel" (we'd had a few Seghesios recently that left her cold) and
> >went on to say that over half of our Zin collection should be Ridge Zin,
> >to which I responded that, as of my last inventory, over 75% of our Zin
> >was from Ridge. I like the Zins of Cline and Seghesio, but only Biale
> >and Storybook Mountain really hit the same heights for me.
>
> I've never been particularly fond of Seghesio or Cline and
> unfortunately never tasted Biale or Storybook Mt. My competition for
> Ridge is Renwood--their Grandmere and Grandpere will really show some
> muscle; and Fife--Redhead, Mendocino and Whaler bottlings are very
> dependable.
>
>
> Ed Rasimus
> Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
> "When Thunder Rolled"
> www.thunderchief.org
> www.thundertales.blogspot.com

> >Dale: I haven't had the Geyserville recently. I typically give them 5+
> >years before opening, as I like them better with some bottle age. I'll
> >be opening the '95 soon, though ;-)
>
> Envy rears its ugly head once again--I KNOW I should, but somehow I
> can't hold wines that long. It gets reinforced regularly when I've got
> something that I've been disciplined about and kept for a couple of
> years yet one thing or another keeps getting the good intentions
> dashed. I suspect it is that my consumption rates are consistently
> ahead of my acquisition pace.
> >
Ed,

I "lost" a 95 Pagani in the cellar, only to find it last summer. We opened
it for my wife's birthday. I was truly amazed by it's power and balance and
amazing fruit. Another reminder of how well and gracefully Ridge Zins age.

Dean

In article >,
Mark Lipton > wrote:

> Ed Rasimus wrote:
> > 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?
>
> > 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.
>
> Dale: I haven't had the Geyserville recently. I typically give them 5+
> years before opening, as I like them better with some bottle age. I'll
> be opening the '95 soon, though ;-)
>
> Ed: I still find that Geyserville is top o' the heap for me, with Lytton
> Springs close behind, occassionally eclipsing it. What I value about
> the Ridge Zins is the structure that accompanies the yummy fruitiness.
> In recent years, the Pagani Ranch and Ponzo have vied with the Lytton
> Springs for my affections, but I still give the nod to the Geyserville.
>
> As we were drinking this wine, Jean said "This restores my faith in
> Zinfandel" (we'd had a few Seghesios recently that left her cold) and
> went on to say that over half of our Zin collection should be Ridge Zin,
> to which I responded that, as of my last inventory, over 75% of our Zin
> was from Ridge. I like the Zins of Cline and Seghesio, but only Biale
> and Storybook Mountain really hit the same heights for me.
>
> Mark Lipton

Lytton Springs is my favorite, I have had some not so good bottles of
Geyserville lately from 2000 and 2001.