Unexpected Visit: Ridge

On Sunday, we were down in the Cupertino area for bottling wine (post to soon follow), and I discovered that BK had never been to Ridge.  Well, we were right there!  As I mentioned before, my plan had been to visit Testarossa due to my recent Pinot Noir obssession, as I definitely am not suffering for any lack of Zinfandel.  But up the mountain we went, meeting and picking up our friend the cellar rat at the bottom of Monte Bello Road.  When we got there, the place was packed.  It was their spring release for club members, so we had to wait patiently for an opening to appear.  Luckily, it was still open to the public, for a $15 fee.

Due to the crowds, I couldn’t take any notes on the seven wines we tasted.  But I do know this. The Zinfandels were not really doing it for me, which is unusual for Ridge.  I think that was probably because they were all the 2006 vintage, just released. (I know at Rosenblum, I rarely love our wines right out the door; it usually takes 3-6 months to get them where I want them.)  However, the two that I liked the most were 100% Zinfandel, one from Paso Robles and one called East Bench, which I had never heard of before but hails from the benchland between Dry Creek and Alexander Valley.  Above those, I preferred the 2005 Syrah Lytton West, with its addition of 6% Viognier and its smoky, meaty rich fruit.  However, the favorite for me was the 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Chardonnay with its clean fruit and lovely telltale minerality.  I remember a slightly drunken conversation with friend and winemaker Tom about how much we adore the Chardonnay from those mountains. It just does magical things, and I miss being around it on a daily basis.  I think he would have taken one home, as I did. If only it could have been more….