772 | Wine | 91 to 95, 2011 | Page 4

"Intense aromas and flavors of peach strudel and apple pie feature notes of custard and gooseberry. The vibrant finish echoes with long, pure glazed citrus notes."

"Lovely peach, persimmon and pear flavors glide along, with a whiff of toast on the creamy yet defined finish."

"The 2011 Geyserville impresses for its silkiness and texture. Sweet dark berries, flowers and mint are some of the notes that take shape in the glass. The 2011 is a decidedly mid-weight, feminine style of Geyserville. Floral notes reappear on the finish, adding lift and vibrancy. The 2011 should drink well upon release and also age. To make the 2011, Ridge was especially selective and fewer parcels made it into the blend than normal, especially with the Petite Sirah."

"The lush, ripe pit fruit; luscious citrus; and wafting floral perfume that characterized “the rest” of the material that will become this year’s Tradition cuvee here display additional intensity, accompanied by piquant nut oils, oyster liquor, and shrimp shell reduction, making for a deep, saliva-liberating savor. For all of its richness, this delivers ample refreshment, while evincing a remarkable sense of buoyancy. Look to have a wonderful time with this beauty over the next 3-4 years."

"Another incredible value and full-throttle wine made from 100% Grenache.... This offering, from very old vines and aged completely in concrete, is a naked, unadulterated, unmanipulated effort with great minerality (from the chalky, limestone soils) and an intensity and richness (from the old vines) that are normally found in $50+ wines. As I told Eric Solomon, at these ridiculously low prices, consumers will never suspect the wines are at this level of quality. This outstanding 2011 offers loads of kirsch, raspberry, licorice, garrigue and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied and dense, it is best consumed over the next 2-3 years. A killer value, it is a custom cuvee made for Eric Solomon by proprietor Nuria Altes."

"Another killer bargain is the 2011 Macon Les Morizottes. It reveals notes of wheat thins, brioche, caramelized citrus and buttery white peaches in a fresh, medium-bodied, fruity, dry, unoaked style."

"Straw-yellow. Bright aromas of smoked sausage, tropical fruit cocktail and cinnamon. Less massive than the Laurence but more elegant, offering flavors of honeyed apricot, cinnamon apple, smoky minerals and wet earth. Finishes smooth and long, with repeating notes of papaya and mango."

"The wine possesses phenomenal minerality along with notes of crushed rocks/wet steel, graphite, blueberries and raspberries, medium to full-bodied flavors, and sensational purity, texture and length. It should drink nicely for a decade or more."-Robert Parker

"The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Ryan’s Vineyard offers up lime, white peaches, flowers, sage and tomato leaf. The long, cold growing season was beneficial to the development of bright, varietal aromas and flavors. A long, persistent finish rounds things out in style."

"A powerful white, featuring plenty of minerality and concentrated savory notes to the green apple, nectarine and spice flavors. Slate and smoke fill the rich, zesty finish."