The most ageworthy of all Ridge zinfandels, the Ridge Geyserville can be magnificent when young. Special 50th Vintage Edition! 95 Points Connoissseurs Guide: "Sporting a deep mix of dark fruits that runs from cassis to blackberries along with complexing elements of cocoa and earthy spice, this year's edition of the Ridge Geyserville evokes all the accustomed richness that we have come to expect. It is a well-extracted and eminently ageworthy offering whose tannic, youthfully tight structure warrants a wait, but its astringency is never out of bounds and its insistently fruity finish is the hallmark of a wine guaranteed to repay five or more years of keeping with great dividends." 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.
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Its been awhile since I’ve opened a Geyserville. This is the 2015 50th Anniversary. Young for me on this bottling. But, a decent first look. Still shows some astringency. This will age like a Cabernet if stored correctly. 70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 12% Petite Syrah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. 14.5% ABV. Never opened a bad bottle of Ridge. It is ready to drink but will improve over time. It will age 15 plus years stored correctly. Black raspberries, blackberries, plum, boysenberries, dark cherries, spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, clay, dark chocolate, forest floor with dry leaves, caramel, malt balls, dry twig, light, soft pepper, dark, mid & purple florals for days-violets, excellent acidity and a pleasant wire to wire finish. Excellent gourmet burger wine.
Its been awhile since I’ve opened a Geyserville. This is the 2015 50th Anniversary. Young for me on this bottling. But, a decent first look. Still shows some astringency. This will age like a Cabernet if stored correctly. 70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 12% Petite Syrah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. 14.5% ABV. Never opened a bad bottle of Ridge. It is ready to drink but will improve over time. It will age 15 plus years stored correctly. Black raspberries, blackberries, plum, boysenberries, dark cherries, spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, clay, dark chocolate, forest floor with dry leaves, caramel, malt balls, dry twig, light, soft pepper, dark, mid & purple florals for days-violets, excellent acidity and a pleasant wire to wire finish. Excellent gourmet burger wine.
9.2Patrick V
Excellent Zin - great now but can only get better.
Excellent Zin - great now but can only get better.
9.0Jeffrey Woo
Medium ruby hue. Aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, bramble, dried fruit, and pepper. Medium-plus body, with medium tannins and medium acidity. Elegant and lighter in character than other California Zinfandels (or Zin blends). 70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignan, 12% Petite Sirah, and 3% Alicante Bouschet.
Medium ruby hue. Aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, bramble, dried fruit, and pepper. Medium-plus body, with medium tannins and medium acidity. Elegant and lighter in character than other California Zinfandels (or Zin blends). 70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignan, 12% Petite Sirah, and 3% Alicante Bouschet.
9.0Lars
Drank this 2015 April, 2021. Long finish. Wonderful as always.
Drank this 2015 April, 2021. Long finish. Wonderful as always.
9.4Steve Mitchell
Very nice blend with a peppery finish.
Very nice blend with a peppery finish.
9.3Steve Mitchell
Nicely balanced.
Nicely balanced.
9.4Gary Grose
Still amazing even without Paul Draper driving for Ridge. Pencil shavings and muted to start and then opens with decanter. Nice blended zin.
Still amazing even without Paul Draper driving for Ridge. Pencil shavings and muted to start and then opens with decanter. Nice blended zin.
9.0Adam Beasley
Of the handful of Geyserville vintages I have had, back to 03, this is my favorite. I decanted for 2.5 hours, and it continued to evolve over a couple of hours. This deserves more time in the cellar, but whatever. Dark, brambly black and red fruit, black licorice, white pepper, baking spices, & clove on the nose (with none of the meaty, soy sauce flavors the 2015 Pagani Ranch had recently). The oak is there for sure but it suits the wine. Explosively flavorful... I look forward to seeing how this taste in the future. Great Father’s Day bottle!
Of the handful of Geyserville vintages I have had, back to 03, this is my favorite. I decanted for 2.5 hours, and it continued to evolve over a couple of hours. This deserves more time in the cellar, but whatever. Dark, brambly black and red fruit, black licorice, white pepper, baking spices, & clove on the nose (with none of the meaty, soy sauce flavors the 2015 Pagani Ranch had recently). The oak is there for sure but it suits the wine. Explosively flavorful... I look forward to seeing how this taste in the future. Great Father’s Day bottle!
9.3Dyann Panepinto
Tom and Dyann had the 2015 March 2019...our nephew told us to age it...we held it for two years! This was a spectacular zin!
Tom and Dyann had the 2015 March 2019...our nephew told us to age it...we held it for two years! This was a spectacular zin!
9.0Chris Haywood
Cooler zinfandel, misread it as cab blind which is fairly heinous but the qibe is not. Great acid structure, fresh still after 7 years, nice resinous and foresty smells.
Cooler zinfandel, misread it as cab blind which is fairly heinous but the qibe is not. Great acid structure, fresh still after 7 years, nice resinous and foresty smells.
WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.