Changes afoot at Ridge

originally posted by VLM: The 2021 Pagani was awesome and I really liked the Lytton too. Thank you for alerting me to this.

Nathan, thanks for following up. My order for the Pagani Ranch and Geyserville '21 is in place. Unfortunately, the Lytton Springs can't be found locally at this time.

. . . . . Pete
 
originally posted by VLM:
The 2021 Pagani was fucking awesome and I really liked the Lytton too. Thank you for alerting me to this. Hopefully, it is part of a sustained evolution (or devolution to an older style). Notes to follow as part of a larger dump.
Clearly there are two camps here regarding their wines. If they have backed off on wood, the Pagani's 14.6% ABV would be a deal breaker for me, but that is - in a way - a return to an older style of very ripe wines. Then again, the $60 per bottle isn't really an enticement either.
 
I have found no balance issues with Ridge reds that are below 15% alc. I've tasted all manner of old and new Ridge reds. With rare exception, 15%+ are too sweet and port-like.

What's more sad for the local Ridge fanatics that I associate with is the change in the events. It's become much more corporate post-pandemic. We used to bring older Ridge wines to try for the Spring Event. Some folks have been collecting for decades. We'd share with the staff including the winemakers. Last fall, we brought bottles and were blindsided when told we couldn't open them. We eventually negotiated opening 2. For the upcoming Spring Event, I talked with one of the managers and he explicitly said no outside bottles. I'm going to attend the event, but more than likely, this will be my last time.
 
originally posted by mark e:
originally posted by VLM:
The 2021 Pagani was fucking awesome and I really liked the Lytton too. Thank you for alerting me to this. Hopefully, it is part of a sustained evolution (or devolution to an older style). Notes to follow as part of a larger dump.
Clearly there are two camps here regarding their wines. If they have backed off on wood, the Pagani's 14.6% ABV would be a deal breaker for me, but that is - in a way - a return to an older style of very ripe wines. Then again, the $60 per bottle isn't really an enticement either.

I don't have any bottles from the 1990s to look at but a picture on CT shows the 1991 at 14.4%. I'm not sure you can make Pagani lower than 14% without issues. What stood out was the flavor profile as well as shape which reminded me of those 1990s Paganis. Frontline retail should be about $47 based on my wholesale, so while not a bargain, I feel like it offers real value, if it works for you stylistically.

The Lytton was 14.3% and the 1992 picture on CT shows 14.9% but the 1990 at 13.8% so Lytton can get under 14% and still be great (I have sense memories of the 1990 and 1991).

I remember some early 1990s Elyse Morisoli that was around or under 13%. Those were great and I'm not exactly sure how they did it.

I wonder if those old Storybook Mountain Zinfandels were around 13% or not. The pictures don't have it because it's not on the front label.
 
"I remember some early 1990s Elyse Morisoli that was around or under 13%. Those were great and I'm not exactly sure how they did it."

that's because they were 14%. i verified with Ray Coursen, former co-owner.... and winemaker during that bygone era
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by mark e:
originally posted by VLM:
The 2021 Pagani was fucking awesome and I really liked the Lytton too. Thank you for alerting me to this. Hopefully, it is part of a sustained evolution (or devolution to an older style). Notes to follow as part of a larger dump.
Clearly there are two camps here regarding their wines. If they have backed off on wood, the Pagani's 14.6% ABV would be a deal breaker for me, but that is - in a way - a return to an older style of very ripe wines. Then again, the $60 per bottle isn't really an enticement either.

Frontline retail should be about $47 based on my wholesale
Oddly I think your distributor is taking a higher markup than here in Norway. Sure I have to pay $60, but if you think about it that price includes 25% VAT plus the cost of shipping to Europe, import duties, and alcohol tax, which means the pre-tax price I pay is less than you do (if you were to buy it retail which you don't).
 
originally posted by mark e:
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by mark e:
originally posted by VLM:
The 2021 Pagani was fucking awesome and I really liked the Lytton too. Thank you for alerting me to this. Hopefully, it is part of a sustained evolution (or devolution to an older style). Notes to follow as part of a larger dump.
Clearly there are two camps here regarding their wines. If they have backed off on wood, the Pagani's 14.6% ABV would be a deal breaker for me, but that is - in a way - a return to an older style of very ripe wines. Then again, the $60 per bottle isn't really an enticement either.

Frontline retail should be about $47 based on my wholesale
Oddly I think your distributor is taking a higher markup than here in Norway. Sure I have to pay $60, but if you think about it that price includes 25% VAT plus the cost of shipping to Europe, import duties, and alcohol tax, which means the pre-tax price I pay is less than you do (if you were to buy it retail which you don't).

No doubt. It's Winebow/Southern here.
 
originally posted by Mark Anisman:
"I remember some early 1990s Elyse Morisoli that was around or under 13%. Those were great and I'm not exactly sure how they did it."

that's because they were 14%. i verified with Ray Coursen, former co-owner.... and winemaker during that bygone era

Ha! I just looked at a label for 1990 Morisoli and it states 12.9%, but 14% is within +/- 1.5%. 14% makes a lot more sense. Those were really good back then as well.
 
"Ha! I just looked at a label for 1990 Morisoli and it states 12.9%, but 14% is within +/- 1.5%. 14% makes a lot more sense. Those were really good back then as well."

always nice when you can walk to someone's house to get a confirm or deny....
and Ray appreciated hearing of your fondness for his wine.
 
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