Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

After pressing dried grapes from making Amarone, Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm skins of Amarone for 2nd alcoholic fermentation, increasing the alcoholic content, aromas and color. Blend of 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta. Deep Ruby with aromas of sweet dried berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate ripe blackberry, currants and sweet cherry with complex spice. Well balanced with acidity and alcohol, full-body with soft tannins on long finish. Nice value. — 22 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2018 vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon ( 60%), Merlot (32%) and Cabernet Franc. This estate has been making very good wines for a long time, but if this 2018 is an indication they are upping their game in recent vintages. This is a spectacular effort with black and red fruits , roses, coffee and cedar wood jumping out of the glass. It has a powerful round mouthfeel with thick layers of fruit, while maintaining elegance with an impeccable balancing acidity and a big ripe tannic backbone. Impressive length too. Still affordable for this quality too. — 3 years ago

Daniel M

9.2

The nose is made of lemon, crushed rocks, chalk and there is little touch of juicy pear that pops up after a while and when the wine is warming up slightly. We could add a tiny touch of vanilla from the barrel but it's very discreet. Lovely. This is everything I'm expecting from a 1er cru chablis. The palate is made of a massive acid backbone, almost overwhelming! There is matter to balance it but it's trodding on a very thin edge. Notes of chalk and lemon, and lemon peel are showing all around the way making for a super dynamic, vivid mouthfeel. The finish lasts for ever with this lemony and chalky notes but that vanilla touch that appeared in the rear on the nose makes a discreet comeback in the end and on the sides and that almost reminds me of white burgundies from way down south around meursault and puligny. Awesome, intellectual wine that delivers! — 4 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Very impressive for entry level of Morgen Long. So Burgundian! They’re making some of the best old world style Chardonnay’s in the USA. — 9 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.5

I’ve become such a fan of this wine, having the ‘18 multiple times, and blown away by it. This is my first ‘11. Structure is pretty close to solid, a bit more acidity would be just right, but the fruit is ripe, black and blue, the tannins have softened up beautifully making it drink so easily. The finish is medium. While not up to the ‘18s, for an ‘11 this is a great wine. And both vintages, still offering great value. I have some ‘16 and ‘19 that I looked forward to comparing. — 3 years ago

Martin Mazner

9.3

Enjoyed on Naveen’s birthday in 2021. Zesty zin grapes had mellowed into a beautifully balanced, rich wine with layers of smooth fruit tinged with earth and a touch of oak. A spectacular example of Ridge wine making. — 4 years ago

with Naveen

Leo Gentile

9.5

Pale straw color beautifully clear and no honey or brick. Apple and pear faint lemon peel. In magnum aged exceptionally. Amazing wine making. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Brief notes. Another excellent example of Pinot Noir from the Applejack vineyard. Red fruited with strawberry and cherry. Definitely more fruit driven than the Wombat Creek which has more whole bunch in the ferment. The differences are more in wine making technique than in terroir I feel. Sexton possibly a bit of each. Had my last bottle on 6th September 2024. Applejack is definitely my favourite Giant Steps cuvee for Pinot Noir. The perfect balance of fruit, Sous Bois, acid and tannin. The 2023 just awarded Halliday’s Pinot Noir of the year for 2024. — 2 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.2

Our princess turned 10, time for our yearly 2011. This year the Sassicaia. Positive evolution compared to 3 years ago and a lot better on day 2. Nevertheless this wine still did not meet the expectations. Quite high in acidity and fruit not in balance making it “difficult”. I give comparable wines at a third of this price higher ratings, I guess that says enough — 4 years ago

GHol

9.3

Decanted for 24 hours so that it could open up as it’s so young.
Incredible flavour, complex, red fruits but not too bold and some nuisance too.
Time will serve this well. A winemaker who dances to his own tune and making great music. — 5 years ago