Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Music ‘n Magnum tasting.
🎶Supertramp - Breakfast in America — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

10

Ridge Vineyards – Zinfandel – 2023
Benito Dusi Ranch – Paso Robles – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An extraordinary single-vineyard Zinfandel from one of the most historic and consistent sites in Paso Robles. The 2023 vintage delivers depth, purity, and that unmistakable Dusi Ranch character—old-vine concentration wrapped in Ridge’s signature balance and finesse. This bottling remains one of the benchmark Zinfandels in California.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe plum, and raspberry preserve with accents of warm spice, licorice, dried herbs, and a touch of cracked pepper. Subtle cocoa and cedar from restrained oak play in the background.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity energizes the palate while fine, structured tannins keep everything focused. Long, plush, and satisfyingly powerful.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, grilled lamb chops, wood-fired pizza, smoky brisket, or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A stellar expression of old-vine Paso Robles Zinfandel, opulent, balanced, and deeply flavorful. A true standout in Ridge’s portfolio.

Did You Know?
The Dusi family has farmed this vineyard for generations, and Ridge has made wine from the site since 1967. These old vines consistently produce some of the most character-rich Zinfandel in the state, making Benito Dusi one of Ridge’s most iconic single-vineyard bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits at the very top of my favorite Zinfandels, extraordinary from start to finish, and a reminder of why Ridge continues to define the category. — 6 months ago

Ron R

9.3

As a Brit, fish, chips and mushy peas is my signature dish .Yes, the mushy came from a can, which is the primary source. We started with a rosé, but we are now on Switchback, which is opulent and correct. — 5 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ed Lehrman

9.1

A little heavier than I remember but fully mature and fun to drink with friends. — 7 years ago

Raj Harb

9.4

A wine of contradiction. Brilliant ruby w translucent edges. Energetic fruit on the nose, especially present when poured alongside 2010 West ridge. But the palate is all earth and spice. Awesome — 9 years ago

with Jasmine

Michael Washabaugh

9.1

Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 11 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.2

Juicy and with a touch of sweetness. This was very pleasant and paired well with cheese. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Splash decanted directly before service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours out of red Solo cups. The 1981 Gran Reserva Blanco pours, a golden color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of Khalas dates, dried apricot, black lemon, almonds, toasted coconut and marshmallow. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is waxy. A cerebral wine and just lovely stuff. Well stored bottles have a long life yet left ahead. Drink now with patience and plenty of air and through 2051. — 7 months ago

Charlie Tapp

9.7

Exceptionally vibrant 18 years later.

My favorite zinfandel on the planet. — 10 months ago

Shengli Hu

9.2

[Sorry couldn't find an entry, logging here Failla 2018 Pearl essence] Single clone - Martini. One taste it surely reminds me of a bottle of Burn Cottage I had a while ago - the same acid lift and acid structure, tomato leaf, sour cranberry, citrusy and bright, red flowers and white + black peppers. 400-500 feet inland, super cool microclimate. Ah it turns out both connected to ted lemon! — 4 years ago

Prescott Paulin

8.9

$21.83/btl — 7 years ago

Jim Stehli

9.0

Nice fruit — 8 years ago

W Scott Curtis

9.5

Buttery. Heavy on your tongue. — 9 years ago

Damian

9.3

Cedar, fruit in the background, coconut?. Mature and delicious — 6 months ago

Kevin Løk

9.3

So good, but I served it too cold ✍🏼 — 6 months ago

with Caroline

Stephen Dodson

9.2

No sediment, great colour and rich deep flavours — 9 months ago

Jeremiah Diaz

8.9

Medium ruby in color; black cherries, plums, and cedar on the nose; medium plus acidity; medium tannins, but smooth; tastes like blackberries, cherries, and a hint of bell pepper witha long finish. Not as complex as I would like, but pretty good. — 3 years ago

Maggie Harrison

9.4

yes, this is a photo of a computer image. tasted as part of a Mourvèdre wine group tasting via zoom, wines portioned into woozies. 2018v. super aromatic, raspberry/cranberry juice, fresh leather, violet. palate texture is silky, light but complex and flavorful, acid medium +, long tannins- just a bit of grip. fantastic — 5 years ago

Lynn Derbyshire

9.0

Rich, thick, smooth, just yummy!!! A smoky essence that was surprising. Had it with grilled chicken and tomatillo salsa. Divine. would be awesome with a steak or lamb. 8/10/18 — 8 years ago

Martin Johnson

10

This wine is excellente! Deep silky dark fruit. This is a great sipping wine, yet it will sing with a thick steak or juicy grilled pork chop. This is a 2007, so good luck finding one. — 10 years ago