Tom Barras

9.0

The delicious, smoothly textured, 2021 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) is intensely colored, nicely balanced, and well structured; medium>full, with an abundance of aromatic and flavorsome black fruits (Bing cherry, blackberry); refined with barrel aging notes (spice, vanilla, toast); and framed with medium acidity and smooth tannins at the mouth cleansing finish. Tasty stuff, and should be ideal with tonight’s wine-braised, beef short ribs and potato pancakes, Happy New Year from Napa Valley! — 5 months ago

Amanda Burgess

9.2

Bouquet has hint of fresh fruit with a light leather scent. Smooth irresistible blend of flavors. — 5 months ago

Rob N

9.4

This wine from Saxum is a great value — smooth, even fruit; great balance overall. 79% syrah, 7% petite sirah, 7% grenache, 5% mourvédre. 97 points from Robert Parker and $129 when I bought it from K&L although market looks more like $160 now. — 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

Jennifer Pletcher

8.9

Warm, juicy. Lots of fruit. A hint of overripe fruit. A touch of coconut. — 8 months ago

Perry Atha

9.5

Fantastic !!! One word describes it all — 9 months ago

Ron Kyle

9.0

Always reliable. — 5 months ago

Jolinda Craig

9.0

Given to me for our anniversary. Really smooth bottle.  — 5 months ago

Doggfather

9.4

A home run at the price. — 5 months ago

Tholyer Sartoni

9.1

Yummy light pinot noir. Taste of dark, ripe berries — 6 months ago

Cynthia Langstaff

9.1

Good covered fruity nose. On tongue plum and astringent tannins, not particularly complex, with slight bitter tannin at the finish. Probably needs a bit more time, but good enough at the moment. 2021 in November 2025 — 7 months ago

with Todd and David

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Brock thompson jordan john s kevin b — 8 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Gorgeous. Very pure. Dazzling yet subtle for Sauvignon. Really excellent — 9 months ago

with Matt and David

Scott E. Becker

9.0

[Tasted on January 1, 2025 at Home]

Melon, pear and grapefruit, with lemon zest and flinty notes. Wine has maintained acidity despite 10 years of aging. — 5 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.3

Drinking fab now! — 5 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Ruby red slightly with violet. raspberry blueberry clove nutmeg red tea. Red flower. Meaty black berry cherry
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M++ Tannin M Body M Finish M 13.5% Sonoma
22 @10450, AD, 251210 — 6 months ago

JC Muehlenberg

9.0

Light, very universal. — 6 months ago

Madeleine Colonna

9.0

Very good and easy to drink — 7 months ago

Joe Flo

9.6

Wine Spectator #1 wine dinner. With a good decanting this was a great wine. 🍷 — 8 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Domaine Vacheron – Sancerre 2015
Loire Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
From one of Sancerre’s most respected biodynamic estates, Vacheron crafts Sauvignon Blancs with precision, purity, and unmistakable terroir character. Tasting a 10-year-old Sancerre is rare, as most are enjoyed young—but this 2015 shows surprising resilience and depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Candied lemon peel stands out alongside subtle citrus oil, quince, and a faint touch of almond. The classic flinty minerality of Sancerre still hums beneath, though softened by time. A hint of oxidative nuttiness peeks through—expected with age—but adds intrigue rather than distraction.

Mouthfeel
Mouthwatering acidity remains alive, giving freshness even at a decade old. Medium-bodied, textural, and persistent, finishing with a gentle grip of minerality and citrus zest.

Food Pairing
Pairs well with aged goat cheeses (Crottin de Chavignol is a must), grilled white fish, or even poultry with lemon-herb sauce. Its aged nuance also makes it a fine companion for mushroom risotto.

Verdict
A Sancerre that defies expectations with its longevity. While youth usually showcases sharp vibrancy, this 2015 proves that time can reveal a different elegance: layered, slightly oxidative, yet still minerally precise. A rewarding surprise for anyone curious about how Sauvignon Blanc ages. Cheers! — 8 months ago