This has long been a dream of mine, to host a real vertical tasting and try the same wine from the same producer over four different years.

So, as part of our annual Christmas party, decided to host this!

Ridge is my favorite California Zinfandel producer and I was able to get my hands on a vertical of their Carmichael Zinfandels earlier this year.

Now, to be clear, these are probably a little past their prime, but still in very good shape. I did have to use a Durand to open all of them. Let them open up in the bottle, no decanter, and had silver pouring discs to make it simple. Did use the same glass to try all four, I don't have enough wine glasses to have everyone have four.

Didnt take super detailed notes, since this was a party and the vertical tasting was just part of it, but the crazy thing is just how different each wine was.

2005 was very easy drinking, probably the least complex, but with some floral notes.

2006 was probably my favorite, more fruit forward without being jammy, and a little more complex and some slight grip.

2007 had some nice fruit notes and not as noticeable tannins.

2008 was probably the most tannic of all and really benefitted from air and swirling. Had some dark stone fruit notes as well. This was probably my second favorite.

When polling our friends, 2006 was the most popular, followed by 2008.

This was a super fun experiment, I look forward to doing more of this in the future. Definitely tells you how different years with different weather conditions makes a huge, huge difference!

All of the wines were in the 87-89 point range, but this was a 100 point experience!

Merry Christmas!