95 1997 Ridge Geyserville 1/8/05 ($26)
Color: Deep, medium garnet with enough onion skin to look ready. (3.5) Bouquet: Minerally and gamy to the point of pretty pungency. A fine mixture of Zinberry fruits thrown together with acidity and just enough tannin to give it life. (3.5) Body: Silky and very alive in the mouth with acidity propelling rich, sweet fruit and just a touch of tannin in a supporting role. (3.0) Flavor: Concentrated Zinberry fruit infused with gamy (tastes like lamb) complexity and classy spice flavors (bayleaf, thyme, etc). (4.0) Finish: Parallels flavor but more restrained with a little bitterness (I’m nitpicking) from gaminess, but still long, tasty and complex. (3.0)
Overall: Delicious, classy and complex. A classic version of the most “French” (in style) Zin made. It has the complexity of a peak northern Rhone combined with the rich, delicious fruit of Zin. Great? Absolutely!!! (17.0)