Lady but I just like Ridge

[alchemeus]

Current wine a 2001 Ridge Lytton Springs.

Love they're approach to a blend, as these may be mostly 'Zinfandel' but are blends. And if you remember, I love blends.

Always smooth even if labeled 14.5% ABV (may be higher...or lower, probably higher if anything). Always nice fruits with zip. I generally prefer the Geyserville, still have 4 of the 1998 left (methinks that's the vintage). But these Lytton Springs have just got nicer over the years. I can't remember anything I have bought from Ridge that has disappointed me.

[Claret]

Alch, The Lytton Springs vineyard with its old vines is a sight to behold. If you are in Sonoma, they you must make the pilgrimage to Ridge in Dry Creek. They have library wines and ATP selections that do not go to stores for sale there too.

[alchemeus]

Just checked the label. 14.7% ABV. 76% Zinfandel. MAN! Draper knows how you blend. Excellent stuff. Went fantastic with the fourth day Lamb Stew. (Local lamb BTW.)

[DavidG]

Ridge Lytton, the old Lytton Lytton Springs, Geyserville, and Pagani were among my favorite zins for years. Don't drink much zin anymore, but agree that these and most Ridge bottlings are quite nice.

[Roberto]

I used to have the some '98 Ridge Zins and stupidly sold them. Every now and then I have a craving for a Zin and don't have any now. I'm on the lookout for some current releases.

Roberto

[stefan]

Yes, the 01 Ridge Lytton Springs is singing now. We had a bottle last week. I'm glad I bought two cases of it.

All my '02-'05 Ridge Zins are in storage at my wine merchants. Wish I had the room to bring them home.

stefan

[Jay Winton]

I drank a 98 Pagani (sp) Ranch a couple of weeks ago and it was delightful even elegant-a term I don't use with zins. I have a couple of mags of the 01 LS. I wonder when they will be ready??

[daramg]

I tried 77 Lytton Springs (prior to Ridge's purchase of the vineyard) last year for my wife's birthday and WOW, it resembled a nicely aged bordeaux with brambly fruit and velvety finish. Wish I had more....

[alchemeus]

I don't buy Zin worth taking note of anymore, and mostly the Kunde Sonoma when the county puts it on sale when I do buy. The Kunde is a Ridge type blend and style, but for near a third the price.

I've liked the Montelena Zinfandel, but it's no Ridge Geyserville. And for the same money or so.

Zin was fun back when they were labeled 13% or so ABV and sold for less than $15. But sheesh, that was what, 8-10 years ago. Methinks I discovered Rioja and Village Rhone when prices and ABV started rising. Now even that is just a memory.

And Jim, if you read this...discovered a trove of 1989 Lynch-Bages in the in-laws cellar. They didn't believe me when I told them it now goes for $150+. I saw 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988 also.

[DavidG]

The in-laws have a very nice stash there - '89 Lynch goes for more like $250+ and should be drinking beautifully if well stored.

[JimHow]

Wow!
I have no '89 Lynch left, only a single 3L.

[DavidG]

I think we'll need to correct that this spring, Jim...

[alchemeus]

Story goes someone gave them a case of 1982 Lynch-Bages for their wedding (Kathryn's step mother, not mother). They liked it so they'd replace it with same chateau as the years passed. Last bottle I saw was a 1994. Mostly onesies and twosies.

I was offered one of the 89's. Will pick it up next time if the offer is still good.

[brodway]

Wow...congrats on this new forum.

I brought a 2001 Lytton Springs to a friends house on Saturday and we matched it with some lamb kufta kebab with Middle Eastern spices and it was phenomenal. It was delicious and easy to drink given the alcohol levels already discussed, and the vinosity for this varietial is uncanny. There is a place for zinfandel in everyone's cellar. Ridge is the real deal.

[JimHow]

Mr. brodway, welcome to the new BWE!
What the heck have you been up to !?!?

[alchemeus]

Damn! Two votes for Ridge and lamb.

My next quest is goat.

[brodway]

Jim...

I've been trying to break into the old BWE for the last few years. At some i gave up. Ifeel like i've escaped from jail and landed onto the shores of Zihuatanejo.*











* Shawshank Redemption 1994.

[JimHow]

Yeah, we are really coming to realize the extent to which MSN impaired the livelihood of BWE, Emil, especially in recent years. What a relief it is to not have to deal with all of that drama, ever again.

[alchemeus]

I'm exactly the one to say I told you so. So I will.

I told you so.

[JimHow]

I cannot deny it, Alch, you did indeed tell me publicly and privately on numerous occasions that we needed to start our own site.
Then again, so did about a hundred other BWEers!

It's great to have you back on board, though, we've missed your perspectives on wine and life!

[alchemeus]

won't even go there.

[JimHow]

[alchemeus]

No comment. Doesn't mean anything.