Catcher of the Eye: Ridge Geyserville
1 Feb
Let me take you back some years, my wine interest started in the 90’s about the same time I moved to the big city, getting a job. Suddenly I could afford to buy better wine, not just looking for the next buzz but to experience something getting there. Soon I got hooked on the game, wanting more, wanting better, seeking new kicks. At the time it was Hermitage wines and Alsace Rieslings that got my heart started, I still like those wines especially with 15-20 years of maturity on them.
When I left the 9-5 world to return to university, more than half of a decade would pass before wine piqued my interest again. I was seeking a new wine identity, getting tips from wine magazines and the few blogs available. I pride myself in learning about wines and rarely buy wines based on the labels… until I found Ridge.
2003 Ridge Geyserville uncorked by Todd
It was love at first sight and the love was mutual – I loved the label, it just said buy me, drink me, put me in your wine-cellar. The label is clean, it’s classy, it’s direct and eye-catching. Now I had my doubts, hadn’t drunk much from this new world country being an old world geezer and the Zinfandels I tried during the 90’s had only tasted like jam. This wine was something else – lots of flavors, well balanced, elegant and lots of joy. It was just what I was looking for a wine to fall in love with. It was a Ridge Geyserville, a 2003 if I remember correctly. It opened up a new world for me, and from this point on I decided to be more open to new countries, new grapes ie new experiences – but most of all make sure to know what to buy and most of that info I’ve found on-line. I’ve also continued buying Ridge wines over the years – so I still got a 2003 or two left in my celler!
– My name is Magnus Reuterdahl, I’m from Sweden and I love wine:)
2003 Ridge Geyserville was the wine that got Magnus into wine blogging. You can visit his blogs Aqua Vitae (in Swedish) and Testimony of a Wine Junkie (in English).
Quite interesting — now I know !! CHEERS!!!
I think many of the Zins in Sonoma still taste like jam. Too flabby and sweet. But Ridge’s Zins are something else. Sometimes you really can judge a wine by its label!
Ah, Ridge! I share your interest in the wines made by the brilliant Paul Draper, having enjoyed them (and sold them at my wine bar in years gone by). Great value for money too.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Ridge was an eye opener, there’s been many since, but I often return to these great wines for enjoyment 🙂
Magnus
I love Ridge, do not have it photographed in my file yet but I have had several bottles and it is always good. Nice Blog. Maybe provide more information on the event in November in Turkey. My wife and I have been wanting to go to Turkey and maybe this will be a good excuse. Thanks and enjoy!
Hi Kevin! You can find more information on EWBC 2012 here. Looks like the organizers are still sorting out the official event & hotel venues. Looking forward to connecting there!