1997 Ritchie Creek Spring Mtn District

[winoweenie]

This under the radar producer has been a favorite of mine since their 1978 offering. Estate grown and produced they have one of the prime vineyards in Napa in St. Helena. This 97 exhibits pure Cab nuances plus some sense of terrior that is missing in lots of bottlings. Brite ruby. Nose has current, plum,cassis, plus saddle leather. All hit the palate running along with a nice loamy note. Non-existant tannis. Dead on TTOIG. Supple entry, solid center and a 4+ lapper finish. 90/88 60 at D&D in 99. No alc(13.5% guess). WW

[Drew]

Have not heard of nor seen a bottle of this producer...must only be for westerners [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Drew

[winoweenie]

As well it should be. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

[winoweenie]

Pete minor who established this winery atop Spring Mt. in 74(?)I think,does it all. His production of Cab is minuscule by todays standards but IMHO will stand head-to-bottle with any of the so-called super-stars I've tried in todays mkt. WW

[Kcwhippet]

The vineyards were planted in 1967, but his first commercial vintage was, indeed, 1974. Incidentally, they also make a wonderful Blaufrankish (called Lemberger most other places, like WA and NY).

[This message has been edited by Kcwhippet (edited 02-21-2009).]

[Bucko]

The 87 was one of my favorite Cabs to come out of CA. I quit buying his wines somewhere in the 90s due to his getting too proud with the prices.

[winoweenie]

Had a bottle of this at the club today for lunch. 'Aint lost no luster and the nose tho a wee shy at 1st came on loverly with 30 min in the glass. BRW just checked in apologising for forgetting to call but I thanked him for his share of juice that I tenderly took care of. As my other bud was slightly late I also had to open a 97 Craig Affinity. Real good stuff as usual. WW