Vineyard: Spring Ridge

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Chardonnays to Admire (9.12 10/1/2012)
Small Sips of Pinot (8.12 3/11/2010)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (11.38 2/2/2019)
Neely: Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir Personified (9.13 10/26/2012)
Neely Wines from Spring Ridge Vineyard (12.28 4/28/2022)
Along the Pinot Trail in California (8.45 11/1/2011)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Chardonnay (11.2 4/18/2017)
Pinot Paradise on Horizon (6.55 3/17/2008)
Varner Wines (8.5 11/13/2009)
Small Sips of Odds & Ends (6.57 4/7/2008)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Varner
Neely

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2019 neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., 254 cases, $45. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cranberry, vanillin and a floral lift. Relatively light in weight and elegant, offering a core of red berry flavor. Shallow on first sip, but picks up richness and length over time in the glass. Slightly underripe fruit character with a vegetal undertone. A good cut of acidity is featured on the modest finish. Score: 89. Reviewed April 24, 2022 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2019 neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Picnic Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

12.2% alc., 127 cases, $50. · Light garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of earth-dusted red cherry, cola, and dark chocolate. Demure intensity on the palate but still delivers satisfying red cherry and cranberry fruit flavors. Nicely balanced, with gossamer tannins and invigorating acidity. Score: 91. Reviewed April 24, 2022 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2019 neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Upper Picnic Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., 350 cases, $50. · Light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of red cherry, strawberry and sandalwood lead off. Light to mid-weight in style and dark red fruited with no sign of under ripeness. Graceful, with silky tannins and some finishing length. Uplifting and seductive rather than hedonistic. Score: 93. Reviewed April 24, 2022 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $38. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Inviting perfume of black cherry, cassis, boysenberry and rose petal. The flavors echo the aromas in a mid weight plus style with a dusting of earth and oak. Very polished and seamless, with tannins that are almost imperceptible. Score: 92. Reviewed February 3, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Picnic Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $42. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, underbrush and tobacco lead to a savory midweight wine offering fruit flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with a flourish of oak in the background. Very botanical, with matched tannins and juicy acidity. More appealing fruit came to the forefront when tasted several hours later from a previously opened bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed February 3, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Upper Picnic Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., $42. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of fertile earth and toasty oak. Considerably more fruity on the palate in a mid weight plus style with vivid flavors of cherry and raspberry. Oak plays a supporting role and gracious tannins make for easy drinking. When tasted several hours later from a previously opened bottle, the fruit was more giving and the finish had gained pedigree. Score: 92. Reviewed February 3, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Varner Spring Ridge Vineyard Amphitheater Block Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

14.1% alc., $45. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. The Santa Cruz Mountains seems to be the chosen region for Chardonnay and this wine shows why. A complex nose offers aromas of lemon curd, honey, yellow applesauce, spice and steel. Vivacious on the palate with vivid flavors of peach, melon, banana, pineapple, honey, graham and vanilla cream. The wine seduces rather than attacks the senses with some austerity that is part of its charm. The clean finish shows persistent aromatic goodness as well. Still fine the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed April 19, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Varner Home Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

13.4% alc., $37. · Golden straw color in the glass. Brisk aromas of lemon cream, apple and rocky shoreline. Flavors of green apple and lemon predominate with a crisp lemon-lime fueled finish. Slightly nutty, with a peculiar celery stalk note. Very smooth on the palate and easy to drink, but leans heavily on acidity. Good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., $38. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose veers to the very ripe and dark fruited side over time in the glass. Aromas of dark red pie berries and very ripe strawberries are noted. On the palate, the wine has power and richness, yet remains vivid and crisp like a splash of water from a mountain stream. Flavors of raspberries and plums are most evident with a hint of tutti-fruiti noted. The finish is quite fruity and persistent. Very good. Reviewed October 26, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Picnic Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., $38. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose is dark fruited and floral featuring fragrant scents of black cherries, dark berries and blueberries with a hint of violets and spice. Crisp and juicy with good depth of raspberry and cherry flavor that is nicely embellished with a touch of spice and toasty oak. The tannins are delicate and the texture is very silky. An elegant wine that finishes dry with a flourish of raspberry fruit. Very good. Reviewed October 26, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Neely Spring Ridge Vineyard Upper Picnic Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $38. · Moderately light reddish-purple robe. The nose knocked me out. Deeply perfumed with fresh Bing cherries and hints of mocha and baking spices, in particular cinnamon. I kept coming back to the glass, the nose became better and better, and was indefatigable. Richly flavored cherry core, similar to the “iced cherry” often noted in Green Valley Pinots. More fruit-driven than the other two Pinots in this vintage but not in a bad way: cherry, cherry and more cherry. Refined, almost delicate, juicy and seamless, with complimentary oak driven accents of caramel and cola in the background. Tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was offering a striking display of strawberry and cherry fruit in an elegant format. This is a wine that is chock full of Pinot character. Reviewed October 26, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Neely Hidden Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., $37. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Ripe and fruity nose with aromas of black cherries and darker berries with a hint of oak. Earth-kissed black cherry and dark red berry flavors with an appealing earthiness and supportive oak highlights. Medium-weighted, crisp and juicy, with silky tannins. A wine for those who prefer the earthier, riper side of Pinot Noir. Very good. Reviewed November 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Neely Upper Picnic Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $37. The Spring Ridge Vineyard, located in Portola Valley, is owned and farmed by Varner and offers six blocks: Hidden, Home, Amphitheater, Bee, Upper Picnic and Picnic. Varner is known for Chardonnay but produces superb Pinot Noir under its own label and Pinot Noir under the Neely label. Dr. Kirk Neely owns the Spring Ridge Vineyard and the wines are crafted by Varner twins Jim and Bob Varner. · Moderately light purple color. Fresh and clean aromas of mixed berries, black cherries and spice box. Delicious on the attack with an emphasis on nicely spiced black cherries. Vibrant and refreshing with mild tannins and some persistence on the finish. The impeccable balance predicts age ability. Reviewed November 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Varner Three Blocks Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $37. · Moderately deep red color in the glass. Aromas of forest floor, berry jam, and oak vanillin. Darker fruits are featured including blackberries and black currants. Earthy and brooding with fairly firm tannins and the slightest oak in the background. Silky textured with a very respectable fruit presence on the finish that should benefit from further bottle aging. Try not to pop the cork for a year or two. Very good. Reviewed November 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Varner Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., $35. Eight-year-old vines. · The nose is more savory than fruity while the wine is intensely fruity in the mouth. Very tasty core of raspberry fruit with an underpinning of baking spices and oak. Very satisfying and persistent on the palate offering a silky smooth mouth feel and showing perfect integration of alcohol, acid and tannin indicating age ability. Light on its feet and packed with flavor. Even more impressive the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Reviewed March 11, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Varner Hidden Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 400 cases, $39. The current release. · A savory wine marked by attractive aromas of roses and spice with a delicate touch of oak. The dark stone fruit is well presented with fine, dry tannins and perfect balancing acidity. A thoroughly enjoyable wine. Very good. Reviewed November 13, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Neely “Holly’s Cuvee” Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $39. Dr. Kirk Neely owns the Spring Ridge Vineyard and the wines are made by Varner. Hard to swallow for this tariff. · The nose offers shy fruit with a woody bent and some alcohol peaks out. Light-bodied and elegant with very shallow fruit and flavors of dried cherry, oak and citrus. The best I can say about this wine is that it has some finesse and a silky texture. Reviewed April 7, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Neely Holly’s Cuvee Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $39. 55% 115, 45% 777. · More herbal and not as savory as the Varner Pinot Noirs. Cherry fruit dominates with a green and oaky edge. Decent. Reviewed November 13, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Neely Picnic Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $39. Clone 777. · Amazing aroma of fresh crushed black cherries. Notably earthy and tannic with an underpinning of charcoal and tar. The fruit is full-bodied and forward with a thick texture. Decent. Reviewed November 13, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Varner Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden Block Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $42. · Light strawberry red in color. Appealing perfume of strawberries, baking spice, herbs and oak. Red Pinot fruits are framed with deft oak and grassy notes. Light on its feet and downy in texture, the style is straight-forward, elegant and likeable. Reviewed March 17, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 Varner Hidden Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.2% alc, $39. · A highly nuanced wine showing aromas of ripe fruit, roses, oak, tobacco and earth. With time in the glass, the medium-weighted flavors of dark Pinot fruits blossom with supporting hints of spice, edible flowers and herbs. Drinking perfectly now with supple tannins and an appealing softness and roundness. Very good. Reviewed November 13, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »