Coastal Ridge

[Innkeeper]

Has anybody heard of this outfit? I hadn't until I picked up the June Wine & Spirits today with their Best Value Wines of the Year. Coastal Ridge walked away with or scored closed to the top in every category. This includes their chardonnay, cabernet, merlot, and shiraz. Sounds like an outfit that would belong to a conglom, but they were not on Bucko's Constellation list. They have a Napa address, if that is a clue.

[Bucko]

I've got Coastal Valley and Coastal Cellars, no Coastal Ridge in the references that I have.

Bucko

[Innkeeper]

Glad I'm not the Lone Ranger. Went back and looked agin, and it's Coastal Ridge all right. Do you suppose Wine & Spirits is playing a trick on us?

[winoweenie]

I'll cancel my prescription. WW

[Thomas]

ww, do that an' you'll begin to see the world thru sw-colored glasses. ...

[cpurvis]

Hmmm, particularly confusing since "Coastal Ridge" is a locational term applied by some Mendocino wineries. cp

[Innkeeper]

Have already e-mailed W&S and asked if it was a hoax. They had pictures of three of the bottles and the label of the shiraz. Tried to find them on Dogpile and only came up with Flowers, Coastal Ridge, Pinot Noir, which is about as far away from a value wine that you could get.

[winoweenie]

Now , Now, IK don' be cruel. Member that a wine that sells for 50 bucks and tastes like a hunnert can be a value.WW (Curmys' Rule)

[Innkeeper]

You're right. Could have picked a better word than value.

[Innkeeper]

Got the following from Patrick Comiskey, Associate Editor, Wine and Spirits Magazine:

I'm afraid I can't tell you much. Coastal Ridge is a new label from Classic Wines of California, and from the Bronco Wine company, who also bring you Silver Ridge, Napa Ridge, Rutherford Vintners, Laurel Glen, Forest Ville, Grand Cru, and other bargain brands. Coastal Ridge is likely to be found where you find these. There is little on the internet about the brand and I'm not sure where it's made. Probably the fruit is from the Central Valley of California.

I can tell you that for the money these were the best wines we've tasted for quite some time. Soft and fruity with a little snap on the palate, and tasty. We liked almost all of their offerings.

I did find a phone number for Bronco, and they might be able to tell you where to find more information, or to let you know where to find the wines in your area.
(800) 692-5780

[Bucko]

Thanks for the persistence, IK. How's the Hoffa search coming?

Bucko

[Drew]

Here's a little info on Coastal Ridge:

http://www.thewinetool.com/coastal_ridge.htm

http://www.qrw.com/spring2001p66.asp

Coastal Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon California 1998 -- Meaty black cherry touched with mint, smoke and oak on the nose. The palate reveals softer red fruits, dry tannins and bright acidity. A lighter, but well-balanced Cabernet. Good value. Retail $7. Score 8A.

Coastal Ridge Merlot California 1998 -- Warm black cherry, mint and vanilla aromas. Spicy, bright berry painted with smoke and hot drying tannins. Retail $7. Score 7A. Reviewed March 2001.

Coastal Ridge Shiraz California 1999 -- Blackberry, cedar and oak aromas are a fleeting warning before the blast of fruit flavors and a mouthful of spicy, drying tannins. Appears to be a bigger wine than it’s price would dictate. Retail $7. Score 8A. Reviewed March 2001.

Classic Wines of California/Bronco Wine Company Rhone Ranger
6342 Bystrum Rd., Ceres, CA 95307
Phone: (800) 692-5780 or (209) 538-3131 Fax: (209) 538-4634
E-mail: winekid3@home.com
Hours: not open to the public
Labels:
Rutherford Vintners, Hacienda, Forest Glen, Cedar Brook, Forestville,
Grand Cru, Montpellier, Silver Ridge, Laurier, Douglas Hill, FoxHollow,
Salmon Creek, Domaine Napa, Napa Creek, Napa Ridge, Estrella, Coastal Ridge,
Gibson Winery, Antares Cellar, Albertoni Vineyards, JJJ, CC Vineyard,
The California Winery, Charles Shaw


Drew



[This message has been edited by Drew (edited 05-08-2001).]

[Innkeeper]

Great work, Mr Detective. Now, to quote the Buckmeister, where's Hoffa?

[Drew]

Why he's sitting next to me sippn' on a Coastal Ridge Cab! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

Drew