Ridge Vineyards 2019 Zinfandel, Pagani Ranch, Sonoma Valley

Ridge Vineyards is an historic winery located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Known for their Monte Bello Cabernet which placed 5th in the famous Judgment in Paris tasting, they're celebrated for their incredible Zinfandels which are sourced from many single vineyard locations around California.

Proprietor and Winemaker Paul Draper focuses on expressing the individual terroir for these wines, but with so many fans out there of Ridge Zin, Draper realized that he needed a wine that was more available both in quantity and price.

Since 1991, Ridge has made Zinfandel from the Pagani vineyard on the western side of Sonoma Valley. The majority of the vineyard was planted 90 to 120 years ago; portions of it were replanted between 2013—2018. The vineyard is meticulously tended by a quality-conscious family who has worked the land for four generations. An average site would have been abandoned during the thirteen years of Prohibition, or during the Depression. Its long survival is proof of its merit.

Grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed and crushed and fermented on the native yeasts. The wine aged 14 months in 100% air-dried American oak barrels, 15% new, 15% one-year-old, 20% two-year-old, 20% three-year-old, 15% four-year-old, and 15% five-year-old.

Jeb Dunnuck scored this 94 points saying "The deep purple/ruby-hued 2019 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch comes from a site in the Sonoma Valley and is 90% Zinfandel, 6% Petit Sirah, and the rest Alicante Bouschet. Red plums, blueberries, blood orange, and candied violet notes all emerge from this beauty, which is medium to full-bodied and offers an ultra-fine texture, silky tannins, and a great finish. This is one impressive, satisfying Zinfandel to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years."