I have known Paul Draper, the long-time president and winemaker at Ridge Vineyards, for over 30 years, so I freely admit that I am predisposed to like Ridge Zinfandels. However, at our Zinfandel tasting last May, I thought the 2018 Ridge Geyserville and 2018 Ridge Lytton Springs were two of the finest Zinfandels I have ever tasted. Rich, perfumed, full-bodied wines with underlying spiciness and abundant tannins which promise for excellent mid-term ageing potential. Robert Parker's review of them, along with the 2018 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel, have just been released and they are the highest ratings ever for these three iconic Sonoma wines.
2018 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch, $37.99
Blended with 9% Alicante Bouschet and 7% Petite Sirah, deeply scented with earth-laced blue and black berries and notes of licorice and dried herbs. The palate offers concentrated fruits knit by grainy tannins and surprising uplift, and it finishes long and layered. This is youthfully wound and will have even more to offer with time in the bottle. Drink 2021 to 2030.
95 points from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate!
Purchase the Pagani Ranch here:
https://sunfishcellars.com/products/sunfish-1803
2018 Ridge Geyserville, $42.99
A blend of 68% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 10% Petite Sirah, and 2% Alicante Bouschet. It's incredibly alluring, offering up layers of warm red, black, and blue fruits and loads of spicy accents on the nose with a dusty, mineral-tinged undercurrent that adds to its appeal. In the mouth, it's generously fruited and fantastically juicy, its silk-like tannins providing just enough support, and it finishes very long and layered. Drink now to 2030.
96 points from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate!
Purchase the Geyserville here:
https://sunfishcellars.com/products/ridge-vineyards-geyserville-zinfandel-2016
2018 Ridge Lytton Springs, $42.99
A blend of 72% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignane, and 2% Mataro. The nose is lush and open with aromas of aniseed, red and blue berries, blood orange and earth plus touches of tobacco leaf and dried flowers. The medium-bodied palate combines intense, powerful flavors with a more ethereal, silty structure and it finishes with loads of juicy layers. It's stunning but will have more to give with time in the cellar. Drink now to 2030.
96 points from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate!
Purchase the Lytton Springs here:
https://sunfishcellars.com/products/ridgelyttonsprings2017
Thomas suggested pairing something with goat cheese with them, so here is what I think is the perfect dish from Susan Spicer to serve with these three fabulous wines: https://www.delish.com/cooking/a482/susan-spicer-lamb-goat-cheese-zinfandel-recipe/