Excellent cab! Always great from Ridge, this one is full bodied, nicely aged (still has room to age more, but wonderful right now!, wish i had a couple more) — 5 months ago
This 21 was better than expected. Was gifted to me and went perfectly with some casual carry out Chinese appetizers. Soft and spicy with gorgeous fruits not too tart and not flabby. — 6 months ago
Caretaker – Pinot Noir 2016
Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A mature Pinot Noir from the cool-climate Santa Maria Valley, an AVA celebrated for its ocean-influenced breezes and long growing season. Even with nearly a decade of age, this bottle still shows charm and balance, proving the longevity potential of well-made Central Coast Pinot.
Aromas & Flavors
Notes of baked raisins, dried figs, and black cherry dominate, with subtle hints of spice and earthiness adding depth. Secondary characteristics from age bring a soft, dried fruit sweetness, leaning more toward warmth and roundness than fresh vibrancy.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with softened tannins and a silky, mellow texture. The acidity has relaxed over time, but enough freshness remains to keep the wine affable and enjoyable to the very last drop.
Food Pairing
Perfect with roasted duck, mushroom risotto, or a simple charcuterie spread. Its aged character also makes it a fine companion to semi-hard cheeses.
Verdict
A pleasant surprise — still approachable, rounded, and enjoyable despite its maturity. While the prime window has passed, this 2016 Pinot shows that Santa Maria fruit holds up gracefully and rewards those who hold on just a little longer. Cheers! — 8 months ago
Apparently this translates to “up all night” or something heeeeeyyyyy — 2 years ago
Apple, lemon candy, dried apricot, oak and hints of peach. Great acidity and balance. — 3 years ago
This wine has bright acidity, notes of citrus, green apples, yellow pears and white flowers. Which went very
well with the grill fennel with mustard seeds sauce and prosciutto, sweet potatoes, portobella mushrooms and skirt steak which was season with just salt, pepper and some mustard seeds. This wine is very well structured and the flavors are intense with earthy and mineral driving finish which went great side by side the stake. — 5 years ago
Solid Pinot — 5 months ago
Bought at Pine Orchard 11/25 $70 after tasting at Ridge in 10/25. Less expensive here. The 2023 is rated at 100 pts. Absolutely delicious. Floral aromas, lightly crisp, subtle oak, smooth finish. — 5 months ago
Cedar, fruit in the background, coconut?. Mature and delicious — 6 months ago
Very nice Chardonnay! Yellowish with pear, apple, white floral, and piney aromas. Nice body with a long finish. A little bit of butter and tartness. Great with our Salmon and Risotto! — 7 months ago
This 2022 Syrah petit Verdot blend is a very easy drinking wine. Has som finesse and subtleties. Cooling finish refreshing palate. — a year ago
Decanted for 2 hours. Still big, no signs of fading. Did not drink enough before it was consumed to review properly, but seemed a touch sweet. — 3 years ago
Schoolbook pinot with warm strawberry and sloeberry fruit. Cranberries on the finish. Some oak and spices on the finish. Simply very enjoyable! — 4 years ago
Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some dried fruits: bramble berries, slightly stewed black cherry, dried herbs, stony earth, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high.
Initial conclusions: this could be a Grenache-based blend, Corvina-based blend or Sangiovese-based blend from France or Italy. I felt the combination of slightly stewed cherry and spices ruled out what I would want from a Sangiovese blend. Which, left me to decide between Southern Rhône or Valpolicella. I liked this wine…the oak treatment was interesting. I was getting a French barrique. Hmmm…
So, for my final conclusion: I’m calling this a Grenache-based blend, from France, from Southern Rhône, from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2017, from a more modern leaning producer using a good portion of barrique. I’ll be damned! I don’t hate my call but I gotta get better at distinguishing these wines from Southern Rhône. I probably just need to drink more of both, lol. Tasty stuff! Drink now through 2039. — 5 months ago
Nice. Old school not very funky but nice — 8 months ago
One of the best Sauv. Blanc. Really recommend, great value for money! — a year ago
Nose - soil, wet stone and petrichor/rainy day. Main flavors - delicate stone fruit like plum, cherry and an after taste of fruit pits. Mouthfeel - silky upfront and the a little bit of acid and zing on the back. Really approachable wine. Don’t sleep on dolcetto! Lovely wine. — a year ago
Paul J
New Years Eve. This rocked. Deep, complex, integrated. White Burgundy in style. — 5 months ago