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

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Lemon gold color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits with citrus, sweet floral and complex spice, no MLF. On the palate flavors of ripe melon, pineapple, apricot and honeysuckle notes with lemon zest and biscuit notes, delicate, complex and well balanced, big and full Chardonnay. Long finish, savory, ending with mineral tones and fresh finish. Will age well. Outstanding! While I usually do not decant whites, this one will benefit to breathe a bit! — 9 months ago

Bobbi Jo Broxson

9.2

Our last 2013 - took almost an hour to open up, but was so delicious — a year ago

with Brian

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Mix of dark raspberry with hint of strawberry on the nose. Bit is sweetness and slight vanilla. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2017 vintage. Light-medium body. Intriguing nose. Plenty of spice and earth/dust notes with some solid zip on the finish. — 5 years ago

Rob N

9.1

Opened up a little funny with some top of bottle sediment, but with air got a lot better. A pretty rich almost funky pinot — 6 years ago

Brandon T

9.4

Classic quivet Kenefick Syrah. Still prefer the whole cluster, but man this is good. — 6 years ago

Jonathan S

8.9

Juicy rich and robust red blend with dominant plump ripe blackberry and plum. juicy fruit, mouthwatering, full bodied, balanced medium tannins, medium acidity and slightly oaked richness. This wine will please the palate for those who love juicy ripe black field berry fruit-forward and full bodied California reds. @jonsteeves rated 89/100 tasted May 2016 — 10 years ago

Paul Mason

9.0

A bit oaky on day 1, better on day 2 and even better on day 3. — 11 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

Tasting great. Big, bold, some butter, but a ton of tropical fruit, lemon, peach, some stones. Not typically my style but I’m enjoying this 9 year old version. — 6 months ago

Bobbi Jo Broxson

9.2

Delicious Pinot — 7 months ago

with Brian

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.7

Prob our fave Anthill wine yet. Phenomenal! — 8 months ago

Ed Chin

9.0

I thought by this age that the fruit would have calmed down. — 10 months ago

PM

9.2

Bedrock wines don’t disappoint. Pagani Ranch Heritage is a classic Bedrock. — a year ago

Christy

9.5

Williquors. Nice cab! Would buy again — 4 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

James Gourley

9.5

The consensus among Biblical scholars is that Jesus turned water into pinot noir for his first miracle. This bottle confirms that, even though it doesn’t quite reach the quality served at Cana that fateful day. — 6 years ago

Christopher Boyns

9.2

Delicious in its youth — 9 years ago

Rob Oliver

9.0

Great showing Riesling — 11 years ago

Mike Woodruff

9.7

One of the better Pinots I've had — 12 years ago

Ted

9.1

7 years old and still a pup. Another Vino Volo DTW pick-up. Fruit is very prominent and there is a slight black licorice note that hangs on for a few seconds. — 6 months ago

with Jeni

"Odedi"

9.1

Pretty color of ruby with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red and blue fruits with light wood, herbs, light vegetables, spices and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, blueberries, plums, cherries, earth, peppercorn, dark chocolates, herbs and light vegetables.

This 6 year old Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley is drinking very nicely now. Fruit forward, rich and nicely balanced. Complex and entertaining. Elegant and tangy.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets earthier as it opens up.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

I had this vintage 3 years ago, and decided to let it age a bit longer, and it is drinking so much better now.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged for 10 months in (35% new) French Oak barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50. — 7 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.3

This wine hits with massive brightness and blueberry flavors. But it also has excellent acidity to avoid it being sweet or fruit bomb like.

Pretty good with some age on it. — 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and nutty scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. — a year ago

Robert Brown

9.1

One of the best as of late. Eggplant parm, pared perfectly. — 3 years ago

with Cynthia

Roman Ochocki

9.5

This is it. Almost perfect pinot noir. Light, but with a leather and vanilla. Fresh with red fruits: a cherry, a raspberry. And something else. But keep it a secret. — 5 years ago

Robin Gerber

Partner Spotlight Brands

9.5

Tried this vintage a year ago and it was really good but tonight is in its prime. Sad it’s my last bottle. — 6 years ago

Leah Russell

9.1

July 2019. — 7 years ago

with Jim

Richard Steinberg

9.4

Jammy bliss. Congrats Roy on your engagement. — 10 years ago

Lisa Schaffer

10

Smooth night for a cab. More like a merlot. — 13 years ago