1984 Ridge Zinfandel
Geyserville Trentadue

BY NEAL MARTIN |&nbsp;SEPTEMBER 30, 2024The 1984
Zinfandel Geyserville Trentadue is one of Ridge’s more obscure single-vineyard
bottlings. This cuvée is a blend of 95% Zinfandel and 5% Petit Sirah that came
from a vineyard established by Evelyn and Leo Trentadue. The couple became neighbors
to Paul Draper in 1952 in Santa Clara after acquiring an abandoned
parcel of vines at the end of Montebello Road. Draper bought fruit from the
Trentadues in 1967, and seven years later, he bought their mountaintop winery.
The vines are the oldest within the Geyserville, some dating back to 1886.
Around 30 barrels were produced.<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1727461105272-CF-ridge+trentadue+1984+%281%29.jpg">The
1984 has a heart-warming bouquet that unfolds without hesitation: mainly red
fruit and iodine, with hints of espresso coming through, followed by pressed
violets, dark berry fruit, leather and sage. There is just a trace of volatile
acidity that gives an aromatic lift. The palate is medium-bodied, while that initial
funkiness merely lends it personality. It’s a Zinfandel that doesn’t behave, an
unruly child you still love. The Petit Sirah component lends structure to the
finish so that it exerts just the right amount of grip. Unlike the 1984 Monte
Bello I tasted earlier this year, I doubt this Zinfandel will improve with
further bottle age, so crack open a bottle if you still own one because it
continues to drink well after four decades. 91/Drink 2024-2034. © 2024, Vinous. No portion of this article may be copied, shared or re-distributed without prior consent from Vinous. Doing so is not only a violation of our copyright, but also threatens the survival of independent wine criticism.

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