2012 Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Alexander Valley Zinfandel
SKU #1156868
93 points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Inky purple. A heady, exotically perfumed bouquet displays scents of dark berry liqueur, potpourri, smoky oak and Indian spices, with a hint of licorice in the background. Fleshy, palate-staining black raspberry and boysenberry flavors become brighter and spicier with air and pick up a sexy lavender pastille nuance. Supple tannins add support to an extremely long, sweet finish that extends the berry and floral notes. As fine an example of this consistently excellent bottling as I've had in years. (ST)
(5/2014)
93 points
Vinous
The 2012 Zinfandel Geyserville is quite exuberant in this vintage. Savory herbs, tobacco, smoke, menthol and dark red/blackish-toned fruit burst from the glass in an exotic, juicy Zinfandel-based field blend loaded with personality. The tannins could use another year to soften, but readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. The brisk, energetic finish is incredibly appealing. The blend is 71% Zinfandel, 19% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah, 1% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro (Mourvèdre). (AG)
(7/2014)
92 points
Wine Enthusiast
Bold flavors and a graceful mouthfeel come together in this classic, complex and well-balanced red, made from 71% Zinfandel with other traditional California varieties. The blackberry, sage and ever-so-slightly earthy aromas continue through the flavors, where they interlace with firm tannins and supportive acidity. *Cellar Selection* (JG)
(2/2015)
91 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Ridge’s 2012 Proprietary Red Geyserville is a blend of 71% Zinfandel, 19% Carignan, 7% Petite Sirah and the rest Mourvédre and Alicante Bouchet. It exhibits a dark ruby/plum color, loads of berry fruit intermixed with earth, pepper and spice, and good freshness as well as precision. This sensual, spicy 2012 can be consumed over the next 5-6 years. (RP)
(10/2014)
90 points
Wine Spectator
Focused and structured yet surprisingly light on its feet, this offers smoky plum and dill aromas that lead to zesty flavors of raspberry, fresh anise and spice box. (TF)
(10/2014)
K&L Notes
Ridge has bottled Geyserville every year since 1966. Grapes are sourced from three adjoining vineyards on a contiguous strip of gravelly soil on the western edge of Alexander Valley. A traditional field blend, the wine is dominated by Zinfandel but is also marked by the inclusion of Carignane, Petite Sirah, and Mourvedre. The vineyards include vines of over 130 years old... the oldest that Ridge farms. Winemaker Eric Baugher describes the 2012 bottling as such: "Aromas of bramble fruit, wintergreen, licorice, and sweet toasted oak. Rich black cherry fruit on entry with elegant chalky tannins, gravel/rock, and ginger root. A layered, sensuous finish."