Ridge’s Fall National Release wines below go on sale Tuesday, September 1.
2019 Grenache Blanc Paso Robles Adelaida Vineyard
This is a medium-weight, smooth wine dominated by pear aromas and flavors; there are also hints of oak and citric minerality. The acidity is sufficient to hold everything together, and this wine should be good for aperitifs, fish, fowl, and cheese. Cork closure. 77% Grenache Blanc, 18% Picpoul, 5% Roussanne. 14.0% stated alcohol. 87/B+
2018 Petite Sirah Lytton Estate Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County
Mostly from clay-rich soils, this wine is from destemmed grapes that were fermented as whole berries. The result of that treatment gives round, soft tannins, but without the structure and crispness I prefer. The wine is rich and voluminous with crushed dark berry fruit, black pepper, and just a touch of bitterness on the finish (positive). It drinks well already and should age well for a decade or more. Others may like this wine even better than I did. Cork closure. 97% Petite Sirah, 3% Zinfandel. 13.8% stated alcohol. 88/B
2018 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valley Sonoma County
This wine is dense with slightly boysenberry pie fruit and some cinnamon notes. There’s power here, but also some elegance. The wine is intense and has round tannins, but lacks a bit of bite and depth compared to the best that can be done. Very good for grills, roast meats, pastas, and strong cheeses. For near and medium-term drinking. Cork closure. 84% Zinfandel, 9% Alicante Bouschet, 7% Petite Sirah.14.9% stated alcohol. 90/A-
2018 Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County
This wine is very reminiscent of the Zinfandels of late 1970s from the old Lytton Springs Winery -- broad, intense, spicy with blackberry pie and almond aromas and flavors. The texture indicates moderate acidity, but there is a bit of salinity. It is a wine of pleasure for grilled meats, roasts, pasta, and other foods calling for an assertive wine. It drinks well now and should continue to hold well for over a decade. Cork closure. 72% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignane, 2% Mataro (Mourvèdre). 14.5% stated alcohol. 91/A
2017 Monte Bello Monte Bello Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains
From a yield of just 1.26 tons per acre, this is a very concentrated wine. It shows classic Monte Bello hot bricks and cassis aromas and flavors in a medium-weight body with a texture that is smooth. But this is a very tannic wine, and I would count on 15, maybe even 20, years to full maturity. Cork closure. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 4%Cabernet Franc. 13.7% stated alcohol. 93+/A