Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Alexander Valley 2022

Description

The history of Ridge Vineyards begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor who became a prominent member of San Francisco’s Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. He terraced the slopes and planted vineyards; using native limestone, he constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage under that name in 1892.

The first zinfandel was made in 1964, from a small nineteenth-century vineyard farther down the ridge. This was followed in 1966 by the first Geyserville zinfandel. The founding families reclaimed the Monte Bello terraces, increasing vineyard size from fifteen to forty-five acres. Working on weekends, they made wines of regional character and unprecedented intensity. By 1968, production had increased to just under three thousand cases per year, and in 1969, Paul Draper joined the partnership. A Stanford graduate in philosophy—recently returned from setting up a winery in Chile’s coast range—he was a practical winemaker, not an enologist. His knowledge of fine wines and traditional methods complemented the straightforward “hands off” approach pioneered at Ridge. Under his guidance the old Perrone winery (acquired the previous year) was restored, the finest vineyard lands leased or purchased, the consistent quality and international reputation of the wines established. Cabernet and Zinfandel account for most of the production; Syrah, Grenache, Carignane, and Petite Sirah constitute a small percentage. Known primarily for its red wines, Ridge has also made limited amounts of chardonnay since 1962.

Forty consecutive vintages of Geyserville attest to another stunning combination of location and varietals. Though born in the early sixties to the post-Prohibition world of modern California winemaking, Ridge relies on nature and tradition rather than technology. The pre-industrial approach is straightforward: find intense, flavourful grapes; intrude upon the process only when necessary; draw the fruit’s distinctive character and richness into the wine.

94pts. 'The 2022 Geyserville is a blend of 67% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 10% Petite Sirah and 3% Mataro. It has kaleidoscopic aromas of boysenberry jam, grilled beef, dried lavender, iron, violet and peach. The medium-bodied palate features generous, floral flavors. It has a silky texture, bursts of mouthwatering acidity and a long, spicy finish. The 2022 is notably polished, and its 20% new American oak is very well integrated. Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate