WTN: '01 Ridge Syrah/Grenache and '01 Geyserville

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2001 Ridge Syrah/Grenache Lytton Estate, 14.8% alc.: This dark garnet is a 50 – 50 blend of syrah and Grenache, but you can hardly tell that from the aromatics or flavors, which are all about red wine from Ridge. The nose explodes with beautiful Draper perfume in all its glory, bursting with blackberry, black plum, blueberry and just the right amount of oak. These follow through in the somewhat fat, somewhat creamy flavors, where a little chocolate emerges with air. The tannins try to fight it out with the big fruit and Mr. Ridge personality, but finish in 3rd place, as this is drinking so well already. It reminds me of the ’95 Ridge Pagani Mataro, which was also gorgeous when it was released, but showed almost no varietal character whatsoever. Kim and I love this wine, and while it will improve over the next three to five years, we’ll have a hard time keeping our hands off until then.

2001 Ridge Geyserville, 74% Zinfandel, 18% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, $30, 14.4% alc.: This was my first taste of this dark garnet Geezer since ZAP '03, and perhaps the time has helped it come around some. Initially less aromatically effusive than the ’01 Syrah/Grenach (which it was tasted immediately after) it shows less overt Draper perfume over blackberry, black raspberry and blueberry, accented with a subtle note of chocolate. The nose brightens up noticeably with air, and the flavors echo in a somewhat subdued kind of way, not being as sweet and forward, but rather more claret – like, and with a nice touch of that ol’ bramble and briar. With an hour’s worth of air, the flavors start to open as the bouquet did earlier, becoming somewhat sweeter and more expressive, gaining a little leather along the way. The tannins can use some time, but this is drinking quite well right now. Classic Mr. Ridge claret, with not a Bordeaux varietal in the mix.

Reporting from Day-twah,

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