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Ridge 2020 Geyserville Red, Sonoma County

6652578136146

$49.99

The most age worthy of all Ridge zinfandels, the Ridge Geyserville can be magnificent when young. From legendary 130 year old vines!

96 Points Decanter: "Enormously complex and full of personality. Lots of juiciness and briaryness, with notes of espresso, soy sauce and gaminess. Very rich, impressive and structured, 2020 was Ridge’s 55th consecutive vintage of Geyserville, a wine that many Ridge collectors consider the winery’s best Zinfandel blend. Its pedigree is uncontested. Made from old vines, some of which are more than 125 years old and 60% of which are 50 years old or older, leading of course to tiny yields. A historic field blend of approximately 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro (the old name used in California for Mourvedre). The grapes are grown in three adjoining vineyards, all of which are defined by an ancient washout of the Russian River that carried and deposited gravel and river stones to the site."

95 Points Connoisseurs Guide: "In the very first Issue of Connoisseurs’ Guide, back in November, 1974, Ridge Geyserville was among the most highly praised wines. And, now four decades and five years later, the very same wine sits at the top of the ratings table. But there is an interesting difference. This wine is among the most mannerly Geyservilles ever. Yes, it is its usually deep and complex self with ripe berries both black and blue profoundly expressed all joined with the richness and flavor length that has been prominent in the very best vintages. And, yes, that expected stratum of solid tannins shows up in the finish and promises a long and rewarding aging curve. This is Geyserville, and it still makes our palates sing and puts a smile on our faces. Buy it."

95 points, Wine & Spirits: “The founding partners at Ridge purchased the Monte Bello Winery from Leo and Evelyn Trentadue, who also farmed some of the oldest surviving vines in Sonoma County at their ranch on the Alexander Valley floor near Geyserville. The Old Patch, planted in the 1880s, has provided the base of the blend for Ridge’s single-vineyard wine since 1966. In 2020, it was harvested just as the first fires broke out; generations of vines at the Trentadue’s ranch provided 28 different lots, with John Olney selecting 20 for this wine. He finds that carignan, which makes up 20 percent of the mixed planting (along with small amounts of petite sirah, alicante bouschet and mataro), provides the acidity to refresh the zinfandel, which accounts for 69 percent of the vines. The early harvest produced a ripe, rich Geyserville with racy energy. The dark blueberry flavors are layered with red cherry, their seemingly weightless concentration sustained in a sleek, clean and graceful impression that lasts. A great 2020.”

...In January 2021, Ridge's long-time winemaker Eric Baugher announced his departure from the company in order to pursue a new winemaking venture in Napa. John Olney, who has been with Ridge for 25 years, is the new COO and head winemaker. He will oversee production at both the Monte Bello and Lytton Springs facilities.

Located on the western edge of Sonoma's Alexander Valley, Geyserville was Ridge's first source of red wine grapes, other than Monte Bello Ridge. The combination of Geyserville's climate, gravelly soils, and varietal mix (zinfandel, carignane, petite sirah, alicante, mataro, etc.) imparts elegance and definition not usually associated with zinfandel. It's hard to describe a "typical" Geyserville. Each vintage is unique, distinct, extraordinary. Yet they do have elements in common, including the blackest of blackberry fruit, peppery spice, tar, cedar. The term "layered" was invented for Geyserville. And the wines change, re-inventing themselves in bottle, developing more nuance and complexity as years pass. The '73 still shines.

Type: Red Zinfandel