Tasting Note                         

91+    2007 Ridge Geyserville      6/13/09 ($32)

58% Zin, 22% Carignane, 18% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro      14.4% alc
Color: Deep purple garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Intense briar, game and spice with concentrated blackberry and black cherry fruit, black pepper tannins and some new oak. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight plus with excellent structure (tannins and acidity) and sufficient fruit. Both coat the mouth completely. (4.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with fruit meeting the substantial black peppery tannins. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with excellent fruit, spice and black pepper lingering. (3.0)
Overall: This has classic Geyserville complexity, but is youthfully austere. Not as immediately attractive as the last couple of vintages, but it's intense briar, spice and game are impressive (Almost drinks like a young Bandol). It's young and needs some time for the structure to calm down and totally integrate. At only 58% Zin, some will ask for more varietal fruit, but this has a stronger backbone than I've found in Geyserville in quite some time (I like it!). It needs 6-8 years to be at its best, but is compelling even now if decanted for 1-2 hours and served with hearty fare. In time, I suspect it may outperform other fine recent vintages such as '05 and '06. (16.0)