A special bottle for Christmas - 92p

I often get questions on what bottles people should buy as gifts. This week I bring you such a bottle. But it’s also a perfect treat for yourself, a treasure for cellaring and a wildly cool wine to pair with seasonal winter food.


A couple of weeks back Vinmonopolet had their November release of wines. A highly anticipated release due to a number of reasons. One of them; top end Americans.


Ridge Vineyards have been, and still is, a symbol of top end wines from USA. A steadfast producer who never fails to deliver exceptional quality. Their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Chardonnay is virtually impossible to get your hands on. And their legendary Cabernet Sauvignon from Montebello Vineyard is beyond rare to find. 
Ridge is also famous for their exceptional work with the Zinfandel grape. With Lytton Springs and Geyserville being the flagships. But over the last years these too have become tricky to find. The 19. vintage, that was released just now, is now only available at a few selected stores. 


But I’ll introduce you to a wine that I’ve followed since it first came out 10 vintages ago. Ridge Estate Petit Sirah 2018 is fantastic and is, in writing moment, still possible to order.


Petit Sirah originates from the famous Syrah grape, but it’s crossed with a lesser known variety called Peloursin. And this new grape is, in the United States, known as Petit Sirah.
Like the Syrah grape, it produces spicy and tannic wines with great dark fruit intensity. 
The grape was introduced to Californian winemakers all the way back in 1884, so the history of the grape has deep roots. 
Petit Sirah produces dark, inky colored wines. Often with smell of dark fruits, herbs, flowers and melted chocolate. Compared with the European Syrah, it’s often rounder and presents a fuller mouth feel. It’s usually great for storage, looking up to 20 years in the cellar depending on the producer and vintage.
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Tasting notes

Ridge Lytton Estate Petit Sirah 2018 - 449kr

Deep red. Needs 2-3 hours of air. Young. 10 years perspective pops to mind right away. 
Quite anonymous at opening, with Dark red berries and plums. 
After 2 hours of air it opens up to a complex world of smells. Licorice, crow berries, tarragon, herbs, chocolate, steak at the barbecue and bacon. Hints of blackberries, black currants and well hung meat. 
Rich, complex and layered in the mouth. Spices, dark ripe berries and coco powder. Fine grained tannins, great intensity and a long lovely aftertaste.
Drinks excellent now with 2-3 hours of air. Will keep on getting better for the next decade - 15 years.
Amazing bottle of wine. The 18. vintage is without a doubt the best one so far. 

With food
Will be smooth with game and rich pork dishes.