RIDGE VINEYARDS
2024 Spring National Releases
As these wines demonstrate, Ridge continues to be at the top of its game.
The wines currently are available to Ridge’s Z-List Members and will be on the national market beginning April 1.
2022 Zinfandel Paso Robles Benito Dusi Ranch
The 2021 Paso Robles Zinfandel is from vines planted in the 1920s (during Prohibition!) at the Benito Dusi Ranch. The wine shows the typical strong American oak smokiness and almond aromas, but the oak does not overwhelm the ripe — but not overripe — dark plum fruit and should further integrate with time. There is good acidity here to provide for freshness. The stated alcohol is 14.5%, but the wine is in no way unbalanced or ponderous. With a smooth texture, the wine is ready to drink now and should continue to do so for at least a decade. I’d drink this with assertive dishes, such as pasta with tomato sauce and grilled meats. Cork closure. 91/A
2022 Geyserville Sonoma County Alexander Valley
This wine can use an initial decantation, but the oak here is already better integrated than in the Paso Robles Zinfandel above. This is an outstanding example of Geyserville with juicy, spicy red fruits and underlying oak chocolate in a medium-weight body. The wine has outstanding length, and complexity and the texture is already silky smooth. As with the Paso Robles Zinfandel, no unbalance, heaviness, or hotness from the 14.5% stated alcohol — a severe heatwave in early September forced day-and-night picking, but there is no sign of overripeness. The wine drinks well already and should improve for many years and then still be of high quality in 20-30 years. 60% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Mataro. Cork closure. 94/A
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Monte Bello Vineyard
This is effectively the second wine of Ridge’s great Monte Bello vineyard. In 2021, it comes primarily from the Klein Ranch portion of the vineyard. The wine shows the typical Monte Bello hot bricks aromas and flavors with dark fruits and intensity. There is also a touch of under-ripeness in the nose and on the finish, although these ameliorate somewhat with the bottle being open a couple of days. The question, for which I have no answer, is whether these issues will full resolve with further time in bottle. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot. 50% new oak, 50% one-year barrels, but not overwhelming oak presence. Cork closure. 13.3% stated alcohol. ?
2021 Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Monte Bello Vineyard
The vintage here very much affected the final wine. First, drought reduced the yield with small berries — production was 1.235 tons/acre or 23.5 hl/ha, if my math is correct. Harvesting took place 1-24 September, and with the warm weather being more marked the higher one went, for the first time the harvesting went from higher elevations to lower ones. Additionally, 60% of the wines finished their malolactic fermentations in tank rather than barrels. Speaking of oak, all barrels were new, 92% American oak and 8% French. This is classic Monte Bello with the hot bricks aromas and flavors, along with cassis, lavender, and violets. The tannins are firm, but with a few hours’ decant the wine can be drunk now, and it should last several decades. Here, as is usually the case, the comparison to Pauillac’s Château Latour in style is compelling. 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Cork closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. 94(+)/A
2022 Chardonnay Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Monte Bello Estate Vineyard
This wine is light on the palate but intense with apricot and almond aromas and flavors and very good freshness. I’ve had versions of the Estate Chardonnay that have aged very well, but the back label notes say that it will be most enjoyable over the next five to six years. Cork closure. 14.3% stated alcohol. 92/A