Zinfandel
RIDGE VINEYARDS – SPRING 2018 RELEASES & MORE
The spring releases from Ridge Vineyards are now here. There are four red wines and one white wine with four wines from the 2016 vintage and one wine from the 2015 vintage. As usual, the wines are very impressive. Notes on these spring releases are listed below and are followed by information on […]
Click here to read entire article »RIDGE VINEYARDS – FALL 2017 RELEASES & MORE!
As usual, the new Ridge releases are terrific. I tasted the wines over a period of several days and found all of the wines to be very expressive. They are balanced and harmonious just as you would expect from Ridge. Below are notes on the 5 fall releases. Don’t miss them! Following the notes are […]
Click here to read entire article »RIDGE VINEYARDS – SPRING 2016 RELEASES
The spring releases from Ridge Vineyards are now on the market. And, true to form, the wines are terrific. Most of these wines I tasted on my last visit to Ridge (to read those notes as well as notes on other wines including wines tasted from barrel as well as background information on Ridge and […]
Click here to read entire article »RIDGE VINEYARDS & THE DROUGHT YEARS 2012-2015
A RECENT VISIT AND SOME REALLY STUNNING WINES I have been visiting Ridge Vineyards since the 60s and writing about them since just before the launch of The Underground Wineletter in 1979. During this entire period I have been buying, cellaring, and drinking Ridge Vineyards wines. They have always given me immense pleasure and […]
Click here to read entire article »BACK TO THE FUTURE
STARTING IN LODI WITH LODI NATIVE I am always looking for new wines to try. Sometimes it is a wine that is a type of wine I like so I just take a chance. For me, Rosés are a great example as are Champagnes, Burgundies, Sancerres, and many other types of wines. […]
Click here to read entire article »MARIETTA CELLARS
Consistently Wonderful Red Wines At Great Prices & A Great American Success Story! In a world of many over-hyped, over extracted, and over-priced California red wines, there are a few exceptions that stand out like beacons on a foggy night. One is Marietta Cellars. The history of Marietta Cellars goes back nearly 40 years. It […]
Click here to read entire article »RIDGE VINEYARDS AND TABLAS CREEK VINEYARD
NEW RELEASES Ridge Vineyards and Tablas Creek Vineyard are two California wineries producing consistently first rate wine that every wine lover should experience. Recent articles have covered them in depth and if you missed the articles click here. Following are notes on recent releases. There are many wonderful wines here that represent very good […]
Click here to read entire article »BERNARD PORTET’S NEW WINEMAKING PROJECT, HERITANCE
After 40 Years as Clos du Val’s Winemaker, Bernard Portet Debuts Heritance, His New Winemaking Project Recently I had the opportunity to meet with Bernard Portet, renowned Napa Valley vintner, and talk with him about his new winemaking project, Heritance. I had met Bernard years ago when he was co-founder and winemaker at Clos du […]
Click here to read entire article »RIDGE VINEYARDS – UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY
The history of Ridge Vineyards begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor who became a prominent member of San Francisco’s Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. He terraced the slopes and planted vineyards; using native limestone, he constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage under that name in 1892.
Click here to read entire article »Retrospective Review: Volume II, Number 1 (August-September, 1980)
We are currently reproducing a copy of Volume II, Number 1 of The Underground Wineletter. Below you’ll find an updated review of each article, where I will go over what we got right and what we got wrong. We will follow this format with each successive issue.
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