Alta Ridge

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

If you know, you know.

Just eying the bottle evokes a sense of mysticism—these are increasingly rare sightings, relics of a winemaking philosophy nearly lost to time. Opening it after a recent visit to the winery feels familiar, almost fated.

The color holds strong despite its 20+ years, with a core of garnet that defies its age. On the nose, memory takes over: the scent of the underground cellar, the mold-covered walls, the rustic perfume of wood and brick. Then come the classics notes—dried rose petals, red berries, and a whisper of spice.

The palate surprises with more volume than the bottle’s vintage muster’s. Lively red fruit mingles with savory earth and warm spice, carried by silken tannins. The finish lingers with a trace of wet oak, grounding the experience in place and time.

This is a wine of lineage, character, and quiet perseverance—a style too uncommon today. Most importantly, it was opened, shared, and deeply enjoyed.
— 17 days ago

Paul, Dave and 9 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Viña Ardanza Reserva Selección Especial Tempranillo Blend 2017

Beautiful Rioja. Layers of red fruit and nice acidity. Super mellow tannins at this age. Doesn’t need much to open up. — 17 days ago

Pinotman liked this

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2019

Berry fruit nose with cinnamon and nutmeg spices. Medium tannins, well balanced great paella — 6 days ago

"Odedi" liked this

Hirsch Vineyards

East Ridge Pinot Noir 2012

Rustic and hearty and a little bit boxy until it loosens. It's shy aromatically. Earthy, bing cherries, prunes, and crushed rosemary.

Tannin, structure, and acid seem intact when a little give would do.

Cali wildness that doesn't feel quite as psychedelic as the Chardonnay (see previous note)
— 9 days ago

Paul, Jay and 9 others liked this
Jay Kline

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🤤
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

For what it is subdued review?
Ely Cohn

Ely Cohn Premium Badge

@Pinotman /// Andreas just wasn’t singing…not sure why?? 🤔

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2006

Cork giving out but why not after 19 years! Wine is escaping to fresh beauty with a little wet dog age that I like.
Holding her space in 2025
80% Zin, 16% Petite Syrah, 4% Carignane
14.7% is reigning it in on this varietal and well done! Doesn’t feel fire breathing at all 👏
— 14 days ago

See TaleggioErika Turner
with See and Erika
Joe and Laura liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 1989

Jeremy Shanker
9.4

Incredible bottle of LRA — 16 days ago

Juan, Tom and 1 other liked this

Bodega Catena Zapata

Angelica Zapata Alta Malbec 2021

100% Malbec crafted by the Catena Zapata family, which established with their first Malbec vineyard planted in Mendoza, Argentina in the beginning of 1900’s.
This is sensational mid-range in the Zapata portfolio, highly perfumed wine, on nose it welcomes you with a blend of medley berries, ripen plums and baked blueberries. On the palate shows highly and deep flavors of dark chocolate, some hint of herbaceous and violet flowers as well.
The mouthfeel is denoted by the creamy and rounded tannins with a execptional depth and complexity. Decant it for 45-60 mins, pour and cheers!
— 14 days ago

Ted and Daniel liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Geyserville Alexander Valley Zinfandel Blend 2023

Somm David T
9.3

This is my favorite Zinfindel blend from Ridge. I like it/them more with 8-10 years of bottle age. But this 2023 drank very well young. One of the best current releases I’ve had in a while. Fresh as it was very recently bottled! 93+ in time.

Sirloin Steak was tip top.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

The ticket to this event has a pretty big price tag. But when you consider what a Napa etc. tasting or two and lunch would cost you, you are pretty much there and there is so much more than that. It ends up having great value. It’s wine, spirits and food candy land.
— 18 days ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 10 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

Hum
9.2

Rich cassis and tobacco … vanilla frosting … everything well integrated… faint graphite ? Touch of bell pepper. — 17 days ago

Tyler and Ira liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2019

Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.

Fruit forward on the nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing sweet cherries, raspberries, blueberries, black currants, plums, chocolates, light oak, earth, cola, herbs, spices, light vanilla, licorice, peppercorn and tobacco leaf.

Nice tangy finish with soft tannins.

This 6-year-old Zinfandel blend from Sonoma County is drinking at its peak. Spicy and fruit forward. Elegant and juicy.

Great right out of the bottle, but even better after a few hours of air, when the complexity really comes to life.

The alcohol is very nicely integrated by now. Easy drinking and nicely balanced. A great sipping wine.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35.
— a month ago

Paul, Doug and 16 others liked this