On Saturday, Kara and I headed up to Ridge Vineyards to check out the new Fall Releases.
It sure was an event to behold.
Check it!
At check-in, we were greeted with the 2008 Monte Bello Chardonnay. The nose is loaded with baked apple and a hint of lemon grass. There's a nice acidity on the palate. This wine screams for cheese.
Next, we headed up to the barn to get some of the 2007 Mazzoni Home Ranch. This Zin comes blended with 39% Carignane. The palate is loaded with juicy black fruit with that hint of tire that I'm in love with.
We then moved over to the 2009 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel. This one had a bright acidity and dark fruit. It was a bit too jammy for me. That last sentence is the worst thing I have ever said about any wine from Ridge... Ever. Think about it.
At table three, we hit up the 2009 York Creek Zinfandel. It had a palate of tires and berries. With 7% Petite Sirah, this wine had a LOVELY grip.
Now the 2009 Lytton Springs was just dope. Great dark fruit rounded out with round, chalky tannins. You know I love chalk. This wine was F'ing Delish!
Finally, we moved down to the main tasting room for some Monte Bello action... The 2008 was FANTASTIC! This vintage is one of the first in a while that only consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (72%) and Merlot (28%). This bad boy was loaded with big blue fruit and silky round tannins. When Robert Parker tasted this vintage in 2010, he gave it 94 - 96 points... I can see why.
To finish off the tasting, we got to try the 1992 Monte Bello from a magnum bottle. This wine was an interesting fellow... The fruit, as it should, is starting to drop out. Coming to the forefront on the palate is this nice black olive component with a little bit of tires and chalk. I think the '92 is gonna turn into a very fun wine to play with in another 5 years or so.
As great as the wine was, there was another reason for taking a trip up to the top of Monte Bello Road…
In the days leading up to the event, I came to learn that the wine was to be paired with wood-fired pizzas from Pizza Politana!
Three pizzas to pair with the '08 Monte Bello Chardonnay, 2009 Lytton Springs, and 2008 Monte Bello. Loved 'em all!
Finishing off some Ridge sausage and eggplant pizzas. Yum!
The legendary Pizza Politana oven on wheels.
If we coulda’, we woulda’ stayed at The Ridge all day… but we had dinner plans…
So…
We hustled down to sea level to meet Kara’s dad at The Fish Market in San Jose for dinner…
While waiting to be seated, I picked up a Johnny Walker Red on the rocks from the bar.
For starters, I had to have me some oysters on the half shell. I am obsessed with these!
For the main course, I got me some catfish with fries and coleslaw. Triple yum, foo!
What a day!
From the Ridge, to the sea, to my bed for a hardcore nap.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
Tags: 1992 Monte Bello, 2007 Mazzoni Home Ranch, 2008 Monte Bello, 2008 Monte Bello Chardonnay, 2009 Lytton Springs, 2009 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel, 2009 York Creek Zinfandel, Fall Release, JeffIsRad, Johnny Walker Red, Pizza Politana, Ridge Vineyards, Stay Rad, The Fish Market
Stay Rad 
September 6, 2011 at 2:46 am |
I would like to clear up a few things…..1) Is Kara in fact made up of chalk and that is why you married her? 2) Can something ever have tires in it AND be to “jammy” 3) San Jose is not at sea level it is in fact 87ft above it….think about it and 4) Race st fish is waaaaay MO betta then the Fish Market
September 6, 2011 at 5:09 pm |
1) Kara wears chalk scented perfume.
2) Take the inner tube out of your bike. Unload a jar of Smucker’s on it. Take a bite. You tell me.
3) Close enough. BTW… Ridge is 2600 ft above sea level. Just sayin’.
4) It was for her Dad’s birthday. That’s where he wanted to go. I’ve been meaning to hit up the Race Street. With your blessing, I will make it so.
Thanks J,
Jeff
September 6, 2011 at 4:40 pm |
what do those wines cost? id love to try my first ridge sometime soon.
September 6, 2011 at 5:14 pm |
Mazzoni and York Creek are 30 bucks.
Pagani and Lytton Springs are 35.
Monte Bello Chardonnay is 60 big ones.
And the Monte Bello is 145 dollars.
Mail order the York Creek and the Lytton Springs. Drink the YC now. Save the LS for about 5 years.
Join the Monte Bello Collectors Club, that’s what I did. $85/bottle on futures is well worth it.
Thanks for reading, Jonny.
Stay Rad,
Jeff