Monthly Spotlight

Each month we spotlight one of our small-production, single-vineyard wines with a deep dive into the vineyard location, property history, wine style and pairing preferences. This month, our monthly spotlight is…

2020 Evangelho

10% off 1-11 bottle purchases, 15% off 12+.  Members receive 15% off 1-11 bottle purchases, 20% off 12+.

TASTING NOTE

Ruby red in color with aromas of dusty strawberries, red licorice, white peach, jasmine, vanilla bean and brown spices. Medium-bodied with flavors of Bing cherry, red plum, pomegranate, cranberries and baked apple with herbal and earthy undertones. Polished tannins and fresh acidity create a complex, balanced wine. The finish is long and juicy, making this wine immediately approachable yet worthy of aging. TG (5/22)

WINEMAKER VIDEO

VINEYARD LOCATION

Between Antioch and Oakley where the Sacramento/San Joaquin Rivers meet in Contra Costa County.

FIRST RIDGE EVANGELHO: 1990

HISTORY

Ridge produced its first wine from the Evangelho vineyard in 1990 and went on to produce small bottlings of mataro and zinfandel from this distinctive 1890s-era vineyard for the next three years. The vineyard is located 50 miles east of San Francisco in Contra Costa County and is planted on an ancient alluvial sand bar at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. The cooling influence of the nearby San Francisco Bay along with the vineyard’s deep, sandy soils produce elegant wines with excellent natural acidity.

PAIRINGS

Tasso Ham & Langoustine Gumbo

RECENT PRESS

Wine Enthusiast – 95 Points

“Decadent aromas greet from the glass immediately, including fresh cedar wood, boysenberry jam, blackberries, vanilla essence, crushed violets, fresh and dried eucalyptus leaves, and bittersweet cacao. Excellent acidity keeps the fruits bright and lively from start to finish while delicate, fine-grained tannins gently coat the mouth. The finish is a long, lingering intermingling of fruits, florals and spices. It’s enjoyable now, but certainly is a wine worth aging.” (November 2022)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media – 94 Points

“The 2020 Evangelho shows how compelling this vintage can be, in the few select places that were picked early or that escaped damage [from the] wildfires. Deep, fleshy and opulent, the 2020 Evangelho packs a huge punch. I can’t remember tasting a wine from this site with so much raw power. Inky dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves and leather all hit the palate. Despite heat and drought that led to a freakishly early harvest in August, the 2020 is somehow impeccably balanced. Then again, that is one of the signatures of great sites.” (October 2022)

LEARN MORE