93+ 2015 Ridge Geyserville (Alexander Valley) 5/28/17 ($35)
70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 12% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante Bouschet 14.5% alc
Color: Deep purple garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Integrated mocha from oak, mineral, iron and cooking spices complement black cherry and boysenberry. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with outstanding fruit concentration, excellent acidity and smooth tannins underneath. (3.5) Flavor: The cherry and wild berry fruit come to the fore leaving the mocha oak in the background. Not as mineral as the '14, but shows richer fruit. Another Wow! (3.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but not quite as giving at this point. (3.0)
Overall: In many ways this is a carbon copy of the '14 with its racy minerality and acidity, complemented by wild berry fruit on a light heavyweight frame, but there are some differences. The '15 shows more mocha oak flavors, more tannins and the fruit is a little more ripe going toward black cherry as opposed to black raspberry. Ridge has been on a roll in the last three vintages ('13-'15) with Geyservilles that are on a par with some of their best from vintages past. This can be drunk now, but will reward bottle age. At its best at 10-12 years old? (16.5)
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