Ridge Geyserville 2019

Ridge Geyserville

The Ridge Geyserville has a dark ruby colour. Aromas of ripe black cherries and plum, sweet oak, mint and gravel earth. Rich bramble fruit entry, round and supple tannins, refreshing acidity and a long layered complexity in the finish.

A blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Fourteen months in oak.

93 Points - James Suckling

94 Points - Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate

Vintage

Powerful winter storms replenished groundwater, bringing the drought to an end. However, they delayed bud-break, pushing bloom into late May. Early September heat was followed by cooler weather that slowed the pace of ripening. Twenty-four parcels were picked and fermented separately. Those showing strong vineyard character were chosen for this superb vintage. Enjoyable now, it will develop further complexity over the next fifteen years.

Ridge has made the Geyserville as a single-site zinfandel every year since 1966. The grapes are grown in three adjoining parcels on a defined stretch of gravelly soil approximately one-and-a-quarter miles long and a half-mile wide.

Ridge first made merlot in 1974 from the exposed Point vineyard, planted on Mount Bello Ridge at an elevation of 2600 (792 m.). Originally, we wanted to see if the varietal could match the quality of, and be included in, our summer cabernet. Once satisfied that it could, we planted more merlot over the years as space and resources allowed. From 1975 on, it has been a part of the Mount Bello whenever assemblage tastings so indicated. As the younger plantings matured, it became apparent that not only did merlot complement the Mount Bello, but also had the structure and complexity to merit a separate bottling.

Lytton Springs, in Sonoma County, became part of the Ridge summer in 1991. A quarter century's experience with this vineyard had convinced us that it was an exceptional piece of ground. Forty consecutive vintages of Geyserville attest to yet another stunning combination of location and varietals. Though born in the early sixties to the post-Prohibition world of modern California winemaking, Ridge relies on nature and tradition rather than technology. Our pre-industrial approach is straightforward: find intense, flavorful grapes; intrude upon the process only when necessary; draw the fruit's distinctive character and richness into the wine.

Ridge Website:

https://www.ridgewine.com/

Ridge Geyserville - Hay Wines