Got my spring shipment from the Ridge Zin List. The three wines are
2005 Lytton Springs, Paso Robles and Ponzo Vineyards.

After a few weeks of settling time I've gotten around to tasting them
and noted two out of three are typical huge fruit bombs and one is a
distinctly different style of wine.

The Paso Robles is the least distinguished of the trio. Clearly a Paul
Draper style of wine, but nothing noteworthy. Big nose of warm
berries, unctuous mouthfeel, lots of dark black berry flavors--the
usual stuff one expects from Ridge zin.

The Ponzo is quickly becoming one of my favorite vineyards. Again this
year the wine is dark, long-legged, velvety and hugely fruity. Cassis,
almost Chambord-like, is the dominant flavor. This is a great sitting
beside the fireplace on a winter evening with a good book sort of
wine.

The surprise for me was the Lytton Springs. This one looks like a
Burgundy brownish Pinot Noir in the glass. Much lighter in weight than
expected from a Ridge zin with smoke, leather and more European style
notes. First taste on the tongue is a mild dill flavor and then the
leather, smoke, tar, pencil lead and cabernet tones come through. Very
different than Lytton Springs I've been used to. Blind I might have
thought Cabernet Sauvignon. Strange, but pleasant wine.


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

On Apr 8, 11:28�am, Ed Rasimus > wrote:
> Got my spring shipment from the Ridge Zin List. The three wines are
> 2005 Lytton Springs, Paso Robles and Ponzo Vineyards.
>
> After a few weeks of settling time I've gotten around to tasting them
> and noted two out of three are typical huge fruit bombs and one is a
> distinctly different style of wine.
>
> The Paso Robles is the least distinguished of the trio. Clearly a Paul
> Draper style of wine, but nothing noteworthy. Big nose of warm
> berries, unctuous mouthfeel, lots of dark black berry flavors--the
> usual stuff one expects from Ridge zin.
>
> The Ponzo is quickly becoming one of my favorite vineyards. Again this
> year the wine is dark, long-legged, velvety and hugely fruity. Cassis,
> almost Chambord-like, is the dominant flavor. This is a great sitting
> beside the fireplace on a winter evening with a good book sort of
> wine.
>
> The surprise for me was the Lytton Springs. This one looks like a
> Burgundy brownish Pinot Noir in the glass. Much lighter in weight than
> expected from a Ridge zin with smoke, leather and more European style
> notes. First taste on the tongue is a mild dill flavor and then the
> leather, smoke, tar, pencil lead and cabernet tones come through. Very
> different than Lytton Springs I've been used to. Blind I might have
> thought Cabernet Sauvignon. Strange, but pleasant wine.
>
> Ed Rasimus
> Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
> "When Thunder Rolled"
> *www.thunderchief.org
> *www.thundertales.blogspot.com

Thanks for notes. Certainly doesn't sound like Lytton Springs of past!