The most ageworthy of all Ridge zinfandels, the Ridge Geyserville can be magnificent when young. Taste a Geyserville. Any vintage will do but the 2013 is a beauty.94 Points Antonio Galloni: "The 2013 Zinfandel Geyserville is every bit as fabulous from bottle as it was from barrel last year. Ripe and voluptuous on the palate - yet with a super-classic conception of structure, the 2013 offers superb depth and impeccable overall balance. Waves of dark red cherry, pomegranate, spice, tobacco lead to more savory/ferrous notes that develop in the glass. Saline notes give the 2013 much of its energy and vivacity. This is a tremendous effort from Ridge." 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.
Shay A
My first pop of this vintage of Geyserville. I don’t open zin often, and when I do it’s normally on the young side, so I was unsure how this would show (perfect, too early or too much in a quiet period). I think this is a combo of the last two. Following over two days (and out of a Zalto universal), this sports a beautiful dark ruby color in the glass, albeit closer to black cherry at its core. Aromatics really jumped on day two showing notes of rhubarb, rosemary, mint, and just a faint kiss of that classical Ridge American oak usage. Vibrant and energetic acidity on the palate...certainly not a jammy/flabby style zin. The palate reveals red and black berry medley, cherry infused mocha, cocoa, and a slight note of spice on the finish. I think this may be in a quiet period, but more than anything, it’s young...I’d decant a couple hours if opening any time soon.
My first pop of this vintage of Geyserville. I don’t open zin often, and when I do it’s normally on the young side, so I was unsure how this would show (perfect, too early or too much in a quiet period). I think this is a combo of the last two. Following over two days (and out of a Zalto universal), this sports a beautiful dark ruby color in the glass, albeit closer to black cherry at its core. Aromatics really jumped on day two showing notes of rhubarb, rosemary, mint, and just a faint kiss of that classical Ridge American oak usage. Vibrant and energetic acidity on the palate...certainly not a jammy/flabby style zin. The palate reveals red and black berry medley, cherry infused mocha, cocoa, and a slight note of spice on the finish. I think this may be in a quiet period, but more than anything, it’s young...I’d decant a couple hours if opening any time soon.
9.2Nagib Nasr
I love Ridge wine… I have not had a bottle that I didn’t like. I had a vertical tasting. This is one of them. Amazing.
I love Ridge wine… I have not had a bottle that I didn’t like. I had a vertical tasting. This is one of them. Amazing.
9.2J Chisholm
Still improving with age, gathering intensity
Still improving with age, gathering intensity
9.3Mike Beltran
Totally outstanding Zinfandel. This vineyard has age, rich aromatics, resolved tannins that grow with time in glass. Rich but not over ripe. A great experience on many levels.
Totally outstanding Zinfandel. This vineyard has age, rich aromatics, resolved tannins that grow with time in glass. Rich but not over ripe. A great experience on many levels.
9.5Martin Mazner
Enjoyed on Naveen’s birthday in 2021. Zesty zin grapes had mellowed into a beautifully balanced, rich wine with layers of smooth fruit tinged with earth and a touch of oak. A spectacular example of Ridge wine making.
Enjoyed on Naveen’s birthday in 2021. Zesty zin grapes had mellowed into a beautifully balanced, rich wine with layers of smooth fruit tinged with earth and a touch of oak. A spectacular example of Ridge wine making.
9.3Hayden Hamilton
Not my favorite Ridge but hard to go wrong with Ridge. Always easy and accessible. Lots of dark fruit, plum and cherry, but some interesting brighter sweeter fruit as well - strawberry and even a hint of more exotic flavors - pineapple and coconut.
Not my favorite Ridge but hard to go wrong with Ridge. Always easy and accessible. Lots of dark fruit, plum and cherry, but some interesting brighter sweeter fruit as well - strawberry and even a hint of more exotic flavors - pineapple and coconut.
8.9Charlie Tapp
Black fruit, oak, clove and smoke.
Black fruit, oak, clove and smoke.
9.1Brendan Baker
Brambly black fruits, cedar, spice, med tannin, fairly complex
Brambly black fruits, cedar, spice, med tannin, fairly complex
9.1Chris Koupal
Honestly I was hoping for more here. Obviously well made but not standing out.
Honestly I was hoping for more here. Obviously well made but not standing out.
9.0Jon Ruyle
This is really good, tons of structure. Complexity shows after half an hour in the glass. Beautiful briary finish.
This is really good, tons of structure. Complexity shows after half an hour in the glass. Beautiful briary finish.
9.2WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.