The Gang of Pour
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From the Road to Gang O’ Pour: Further Conversations
With Mr. Ridge
Following our initial encounter
with them, the Canadian Zin people cordially reciprocated
by inviting The Director and me to join them for food and
wine.
FIRST COURSE: Canadian Zinfan, a professional chef and
co-owner of an impressive cellar,
The pizza was a culinary delight; in fact, The Director was heard to remark, "I’ll never do Pizza Hut again"! The ’93 Sonoma was my favorite wine of the evening, if only because it is peaking now. It was full-bodied and perfectly oaked, with the obligatory deep garnet color. It exuded aromas of spicy blackberry, with hints of blueberry, vanilla, and brown sugar that echoed in the flavors, with a bit of pepper on the long finish. It exhibited all of the qualities that have made Ridge Zinfandels a revered treasure among the four of us. While leisurely waiting for the next course, we listened to a succession of musical selections that included Pink Floyd, Chris Issak, and Muddy Waters, while sipping the ’94 model of the Ridge Sonoma. It was obvious that while it was perfectly fine when considered on its own terms, it suffered somewhat in comparison with the previous vintage. It had the deep garnet color and full body, but its cooked plum and prune flavors came up just a tad short, as did the finish. It showed something of a Rhone-like quality, which has been noted in other ’94 Ridge bottlings, as well. SECOND COURSE consisted of
In fact, the Paragon Chardonnay was a perfect match for the galettes, with it’s lovely complex flavors and aromas, including pear, walnut, herbs, and a spritz of lemon peel. The Director noted a hint of celery seed, while This Taster detected a touch of asparagus. With a medium straw color, it was fat and buttery in the mouth, but not over oaked, and proved to be every bit as enjoyable as the fine zinfandels." |
The Road To The pizza was a culinary delight; in fact, The Director was heard to remark, "I’ll never do Pizza Hut again"!
IN ATTENDANCE 4-4-97 This Taster Canadian Zinfan Zinchick The Director Mr. Flippy
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1992 Ridge
Lytton Springs Zinfandel
Our first meeting had
been truly memorable, and being fellow members of that
nameless cult that worships Mr. Ridge (not that we think
there are any spaceships hidden at Lytton Springs or
Geyserville!), we accepted without hesitation. So, armed
with three of Paul Draper’s finest, we drove to
Byron, Ontario on April 4th, exactly one month after our
initial meeting. The Director brought along a $2 toy
camera (?!) to document the event. We arrived at
mid-afternoon, to be greeted by Canadian Zinfan himself. 
had planned a menu
that would be presented in three courses throughout the
evening. He began by serving a thin crust pizza
accompanied by the ‘93 Ridge
Sonoma Zin, submitted by their accomplice in
crime, Mr. Flippy, with the stipulation that a glass of
each selection be set aside for him until his arrival.
Galettes
( patties) of salt cod, shrimp and scallops with red
pepper coulis, Arugula, and cilantro dressing and the 1994 Edna Valley Chardonnay Paragon.
C.Z.’s galettes were like something from heaven, and
his choice of wine served to accentuate the fact.
