Allison Lyzenga

9.4

Deep ruby; medium plus intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, juicy black cherry, dried black currant, black plum, pomegranate, mulberry, tobacco, cigar box ; dry, medium plus acid, medium plus ripe tannins, medium alcohol, full body pronounced intensity flavors consistent with aromas; medium plus finish, quite fruit forward but well balanced, fruit ripe and dried but not jammy, outstanding — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

Glistening magenta. Displays expansive, spice- and mineral-accented red/dark berry preserve scents that take on incense and lavender flourishes with air. Juicy, seamless and energetic on the palate, offering densely packed black raspberry, cherry liqueur and exotic spice flavors that show sharp delineation and back-end thrust. Finishes impressively long and smooth, with resonating red fruit, floral notes and velvety, harmonious tannins that make a cameo appearance. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2019) — 7 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.0

Lemon, lime, melon, and toasty oak flavors. Fuller bodied. The finish is LONG. Got for $23, which was a steal, but I wouldn’t buy if more than that. There are better quality wines that cost less. A WS Top 100. — 8 years ago

Basia Tunkis

9.5

Different Chardonnay, lime and citrus notes — 9 years ago

Daryl Calhoun

9.6

Remarkable evening last night at VHR sponsored tasting of the 2014 vintage VHR. Heather and Bruce (@Bruce Phillips) hosted a lovely evening for the VHR faithful popping a Shramsburg Champagne toast with heavy appetizers followed by comparison of the 2012 and new 2014 vintages. Notes for 2014: Obviously young, but the aromatics hitting the nose are alive and run the continuum of all the green leaves in your spice drawer mixed together. Heavy mouth feel with flavor from the darker end of the spectrum: licorice, dates, tobacco. Finish is long and constant. Will be interesting to see how this one changes over time. — 10 years ago

with Ryan

Jean-Francois Pelletier

9.1

Disclaimer: I am drinking these too young...

Intense Ruby color with a purple rim. Explosion of red and blue fruit on the nose. Medium body, very smooth and fruity. Slight tannins on the medium+ to long finish. As it opened in the glass, sweet spice flavors and aromas started to emerge. Very good wine and fun to drink. As usual, great work from Morgan and Chris! — 10 years ago

with Frankie

Jeffrey Mack

9.4

Love this Merlot. Happy New Years! — 10 years ago

Justin Manni

9.1

Very young, but drinks well. Smooth with a low acidity. Will be even better in a few more years. Drink from 2016-2022 — 11 years ago

Mark Morgan

9.5

Giants sucked tonight, but the wine was great. Still has a long way to go after 6 yrs, wish I had more. — 12 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.3

From magnum. Black cherry, dark chocolate, tobacco. Firm, supportive tannins. Has a long time to go. — 6 years ago

Dean Quintal

9.7

Good balance and nice acidity, blue fruits black fruits not Jamie whatsoever, Complex with a long finish. Tremendous age ability! — 6 years ago

Loren Loftesnes

9.2

This is a fantastic wine that is definitely underrated — 7 years ago

with Rosita

Al Shikoh

8.9

Dark ruby violet. Blackberry, graphite, and a slight herbal note on the nose. Dense and concentrated red and black fruits on the palate with prominent, chunky tannins and long, gravelly finish. Blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot fermented with native yeasts then aged 19 months in 50% new French oak. Made by Diana Snowden wife of Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Burgundy. Would undoubtedly benefit from more time in the bottle. 14.5% ABV. $50. — 8 years ago

with Kelly

Rochelle

9.5

Really nice and enjoyable ! Rich plum and chocolate on the nose, also full of fruit and it's also present in the body of the wine! great integrated tannins long finish good juice! — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Nice evolution here. It's still peaking with a number of years ahead. Ripe blueberries, black plum, blackberries, raspberries, some dark cherries, dark earth & dry minerals, spice, herbs, light vanilla, underbrush, some burnt ambers and a nice long fresh fruit finish. Good length, balance and near perfect acidity. I can't recall ever having a bad bottle of Ridge. — 10 years ago

Brian Ager

9.5

Usually Merlot is not among my favorites, but clearly I have been drinking the wrong wines. This wine is wonderfully smooth and balanced with medium-high tannins. Aromas of tobacco, raspberry and pomegranate fill the glass. It has a full bodied pallate of dark cherries and nutmeg, with hints of cocoa and a bit of spice that continue into a long enjoyable finish. Drank at VIC's in NE Minneapolis for mystery wine night, and paired with a Kobe beef burger! ($36) — 10 years ago

Caroline Bedillion

9.0

2012 vintage will be great with a little more age. — 11 years ago

with Rhydon

John D

9.4

Lovely. Blackberry, plum, tannins in balance. A deep rich wine. Maybe it's the petite sirah (4%) that smooths the Zin but there's almost a Bordeaux earthiness in the nose that isn't in many Zins and none of the black pepper notes. Deep color, nice tannin, long finish of plums and a hint of raspberry. Must find more 2009s as they are ready. — 11 years ago

Bill Ward

9.8

Plush and rich and long — 12 years ago

Robert S.

9.1

Decanted 30 minutes. Expressive nose of dark berries. Air time added a smooth mouthfeel. Luscious medium to long finish. Drinking very well now. — 6 years ago

Ming L

9.3

The 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel from Tablas Creek was a tough act to follow, but this elegant Rhône blend from Sonoma just did that.

The nose was quite similar with aroma of blue fruits and earthy elements with hint of violet, it was the palate that set it apart: soft, complex and deep, with great texture and beautiful acidity that adds the tension. Elegant and seamless.

Kale Anderson was the long time wine maker at Pahlmeyer, and Kale wines are all vineyard-specific. Worth seeking out. — 7 years ago

Sam T

9.3

Awesome but needs a few more years. This one will hold up for the long haul! — 7 years ago

Thomas Brenner

8.9

The best of a few Cabs I had that day. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Nose of; slightly candied, juicy and ripe; black cherries, strawberries, blackberries, black raspberries with dark florals and violets. Palate has; dark currants, spiced black plum,strawberries, pomegranate, dark cherries, anise, M+ tannin that are soft, dark fresh flowers, violets, lavender, crushed rocks, dark dry soils, chewy leather, red vines licorice & cherry cola. The finish is; rich, ripe, round, long with good acidity. Barrel tasted the 2016 vintage at the Nickel & Nickel Entrecôte. Photos of the "State Ranch Vineyard" in Yountville, Bale clay soil and the decor and lighting of their cellar for the event. — 9 years ago

Kristen Weinstein

9.3

Solid Napa Cabernet that's very drinkable already. Raspberries and chocolate, so yummy! — 10 years ago

with Josh

A. R.

9.5

Wow. What an explosive wine. Young but very approachable, with lots of room to grow. On the nose, dark fruits, violets, a slight herbal tinge. In the mouth a huge rush of dark fruits, rose petals, violets, tobacco, fine tannins and bright acidity. Long, long finish. IMO- an equal to some Ridge Montebellos... — 10 years ago

Louisiana Pizza Kitchen

8.9

Good berry. Nice fresh. 22.50 btb Uncorkd — 11 years ago

John Skupny - Lang & Reed Wine Company

8.9

A surprise, an array of both bright and mature flavors- what a great match for old fashion Spaghetti & Meatballs! — 11 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

My only bottle. Held off as long as I could and the reward was very high. Excellent! — 12 years ago

Jeff Manuel

9.1

Just as I remembered...lots of black cherry. — 13 years ago