We have been long time sellers of Ridge wines, their flagship wine is of course the amazing Monte Bello, the single vineyard Cab blend that ranks among America’s best wines.  But today I want to encourage you to buy the 2017 Geyserville.  I had lunch with Ridge COO and Winemaker Eric Baugher recently and we tasted the soon to arrive 2017 Geyserville among other offerings.

Geyserville is a single vineyard in the Alexander Valley, 36 acres separated into 25 different blocks.  Eric said that it is rare that a block is declassified into their Three Valleys blend, but it does happen, it must in fact happen to preserve the high quality of this wine.  Primarily planted to Zin, there are actually 23 different grape varieties planted in Geyserville.  Eric pointed out that the Italian immigrants that planted vineyards like this often mixed in other varieties throughout the vineyard to give the wine some complexity and whenever Ridge has had to replace a vine they make sure they do it with the exact same variety to keep this place and the resulting wine consistent.  And consistent it is!  This wine ranks among the finest “not-Cabs” in California year in and year out.  The 2017 is simply the latest in a long line of truly great Geyserville’s.

Ridge Geyserville 2017- $49.99/750ml; $27.99/375ml

I was thrilled with this wine, it is layered and  complex and terrific mix of fruit and earth with exotic spice and the telltale bramble of great Sonoma Zins.  The wine is blessed with excellent intensity and structure, Eric commented that this is a 30-year Geyserville, but with the fabulous texture of the wine and the very simple fact that it is totally delicious I think this is a wine that can be enjoyed immediately.

“…offering up complex aromas of raspberries, blackberries and exotic spice. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, pure and succulent, with superb concentration, a lovely line of ripe acidity and a chalky, fine-grained finish. The wine attained 14.7% alcohol, and Baugher believes it will be one of the best renditions of Geyserville in a decade.  93-95 points.”  Wine Advocate

From the Ridge website- 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.

“Dark ruby color. Aromas of ripe black cherries and plum, sweet oak, mint, and gravel earth. Rich bramble fruit entry, round and supple tannins, refreshing acidity, and layered complex fruits in a long finish.”  Eric Baugher