2010 Ridge, Syrah, Lytton Estate, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County.
I pulled this my my secret stash of Ridge wines, a hedonistic New Years’s Eve choice to go along with some Jura bubbly, I got this from the Ridge Vineyards tasting room at Lytton Springs in Dry Creek, it performed very well and drinks beautifully. I might suggest to hold this one another 3 to 5 years, but it certainly shows flamboyant fruit, terroir and Ridge stylistic character already with loads of rich boysenberry, raspberry, plum and a touch of forward American oak with that hint of coconut oil and smoky vanilla. Ridge used 91% Syrah and 9% Perfect Viognier, a Cote-Rotie like blend, though this wine tastes more like a young Penfolds Grange Shiraz, high praise, and Muga Rioja, another very impressive wine, it doesn’t show much Northern Rhone, but that is not a fault, just interesting and it is very enjoyable and full bodied lavish in feel. The alcohol does feel overt either at 14.2%, and there is a decent cut of acidity too, all in all this is classic stuff from Ridge and a rare treat. The nose starts with blueberry pie, star anise and has a hint of camphor and baking spices leading to the dense palate of the mentioned boysenberry, plum, currant/cassis and licorice along with bitter coco, dusty stones, briar spices and sweet cherries. This black/purple Syrah from Ridge is a very exciting red that has a lot going for it and will appeal to Ridge fans, of which I am a full on one, and it delivers something unique to their lineup, drink over the next 3 to 10 years! This would be even more amazing with Indian or Turkish lamb, though it went well with spicy cajan gumbo, the sweet fruit really holds up to spice!
($36 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
