Tried these two last night:
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Carlisle GrunerVeltliner SteinerVnyd/SonomaMtn/SonomaCnty (13.9%) 2015: Med.gold color; very strong GV/white pepper/floral/carnations slight
nutty/oxidative bit perfumed talc/mineral/spicy some complex very fragrant beautiful nose; fairly tart/tangy/slight grapefruity very strong GV/white pepper/
floral/carnations/spicy quite smooth/polished light mineral/chalky/perfumed talc fairly rich rather complex flavor; very long/lingering lightly tart quite rich/smooth
strong GV/white pepper/floral/spicy light chalky/mineral fairly complex beautiful finish; a beautiful fully-mature Calif GV that could go mano-a-mano with a
10 yr old Wachau Smaargd GV; suspect it will continue to evolve for another 6-10 yrs; probably the best mature Calif GV I’ve yet had; settling into a
lovely middle-aged cougar.
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Ridge LyttonSprings Calif/DryCreekVlly (14.4%; 74% Zin/21% PetiteSirah/5% Carignane; bttld 3/10; Drk: 11/09-11/19: JO)
Healdsburg 2008: Med.dark color w/ some bricking very strong raspberry/blackberry/DCV Zin/very spicy some vanilla/pencilly/Ridge oak rather dusty/OV classic LS/very spicy/
slight peppery rather complex nose w/ no signs of tiring; lightly tart very spicy/LS spicy/raspberry/blackberry/bit peppery some vanilla/Ridge oak fairly smooth fully
mature/smooth rather complex flavor w/ light slightly drying tannins; very long lightly tart smooth/mellow rather LS spicy/raspberry/blackberry/Zin modest vanilla/Am.oak
some dusty/OV finish w/ light bit drying tannins; a lovely fully-mature LS; starting to dry out slightly on the palate but still offers up much pleasure.
A wee BloodyPulpit:
- GV: To my judgement, Mike makes the best Gruner in all Calif (or OR). The aromatics on this GV were terrific. When I tried it this morning,
the aromatics were not nearly as powerful, which makes me wonder about its long-term future.
- LS: This was a great example of a fully mature Zin that is starting its downward trajectory. It has lost a fair amount of the fruit intensity that
it had in its youth.
Tom