Ridge Geyserville, California, 1999

This wine is dark and serious. It almost seemed a shame to drink it — I think it was not yet quite at its best. Although we often think of these wonderful Ridge wines as Zins, this wine is only 68% Zinfandel. The rest is 16% Carignane and 16% Petite Syrah. It had this wonderful deep taste — made me think of dark berries! And what a long finish.

The Ridge Geyserville 1999 is a wine to remember. If you have it, keep it a little longer if you are storing it well. But if you drink, it now (late 2005), you will definitely enjoy it. It’s a wonderful wine.