Fall Release Scores from Wine & Spirits
Wine & Spirits
November 2022
We are pleased to share scores and reviews for five of our fall-release wines from Wine & Spirits. These wines from the Ponzo vineyard and our Monte Bello & Lytton Springs estates showcase Ridge’s commitment to exceptional single-vineyard winemaking.
2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – 92 points
Selected from the same parcels that provide fruit for Monte Bello, Ridge’s Estate Cabernet offers more youthful accessibility. It’s a soft, sumptuous cherry-red cabernet, vibrant with fresh red-currant flavors and pleasingly ripe tannins. A wine with length and depth of flavor, this is ready to decant, or to cellar and enjoy over the next decade. —J.G.
2019 Monte Bello Chardonnay – 92 points
This has the formal structure of chardonnay grown in limestone, and the dry peach flavor of ripe California fruit. It’s as rich as buttered caramels, toasty, but not sweet. Give this time to develop; Monte Bello chardonnays can evolve for a decade or more. —J.G.
2020 Lytton Springs – 93 points
At a recent celebration of Ridge’s 60th Anniversary, John Olney mentioned that the mixed vineyard at Lytton Springs has the oldest pinot noir vines in California, among many other varieties, many of them centenarian zinfandel vines along with petite sirah, carignane, mataro and grenache. The mix brings bass notes and dynamic energy to this classical California red. The red-currant and cranberry fruit has a healthy feel to its richness, lasting with restraint and elegance. —J.G.
2020 Ponzo Zinfandel – 92 points
A bluesy Russian River zinfandel, its power boosted by a little petite sirah in the blend, this wine’s ripe blue fruit and red-berry flavors are cushioned by peppery tannins. It’s ripe and fresh, a red to pour with braised meats. —J.G.
2019 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah – 90 points
The petite sirah tannins here are big and black, while the fruit itself is red, clean and bright. As you might expect from a petite, it’s youthfully blunt and would benefit from ten years of rest in your cellar. If you open it now, decant it well before dinner for an authentic California pleasure. —J.G.
RIDGE Club Members enjoy exclusive access to winery-direct releases. Explore ATP, Z List, and Monte Bello collector and find the perfect club for you.
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