2022 Pagani Ranch Norma’s Block

Nose of perfectly ripe strawberry, honeycomb, mint, and blood orange. Formidable structure and mid-palate weight with flavors that confirm the aromas. SR (8/24)

Assembled from the oldest and most prestigious blocks on the Pagani Ranch and named for the matriarch of the family. She lovingly tends these gnarly centenarian vines, some of which, at six feet in height, tower above her. Zinfandel, petite sirah, and tenturier varieties give firm acidity, texture, and weight to the mid-palate. This beauty is enjoyable now and will age gracefully over the next fifteen years. SR (11/23)

Block 32 and 33 were planted in the 1880’s and are the oldest plantings on the Pagani ranch. Just adjacent, block 35 is comprised of ancient tenturier varieties alicante bouschet, grand noir, and lenoir. This block is an anomaly, as isolated tenturier blocks are not usually found in old vineyards, but rather they are sporadically interplanted in a field blend. Since 1991, Ridge has made wine from the Pagani vineyard on the western side of Sonoma Valley. 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.

Rainfall: 22 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Late May
Weather: 2022 was the third year of drought. Thankfully, we received spring rains that helped the vines. These same rains caused shatter in our zinfandel, reducing their crop. Two heat spells pushed the vines to another early harvest.

Harvest Date: 17 September
Grapes: Average Brix 24.3˚
TA: 7.65 g/L
pH: 3.71
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed and crushed. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; pumped over a floating cap.
Barrels: Air-dried American oak barrels (20% new, 10% one year old, 20% two years old, 5% three years old, and 45% neutral oak).

Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested, grapes; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by a full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 54 ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Zinfandel Chronicles: 97 Points “Killer nose of red fruits, anise and pepper. Medium body with mouth watering acidity. Bursting with bright, juicy fruits. Cherry, strawberry, crushed raspberries and pepper on the palate. The finish is long and seamless. Ridge captured lightning in a bottle here. Truly the essence of Pagani Ranch on full display. Best over the next 4-6 years.” -Tom Lee (August 2024)

OwenBargreen.com: 95 Points “A stunning wine and a truly novel blend, the 2022 Ridge ‘Pagani Ranch Norma’s Block’ Zinfandel has 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 4% Grand Noir, and 4% Lenoir blended in. White pepper dusted coffee bean and dark chocolate shavings meld well with cinnamon and allspice alongside boysenberry fruit flavors on the palate. Fresh and showing great nerve, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039.” -Owen Bargreen (October 2024)

JamesSuckling.com: 94 Points “A touch darker, deeper and more tannic than its sibling Pagani Ranch bottling, this is densely packed with gorgeous dark fruit flavors. Dark plums, blackberry jam, black cherries and hints of star anise and white pepper on firm tannins. It’s 78% zinfandel with smaller portions of four different, deeply colored, traditional grape varieties. Drink or hold.” (September 2024)

Vinous Media: 94 Points “The 2022 Pagani Ranch Norma’s Block is a fantastic wine off this historic site. Surprisingly only medium in body, it portrays a great depth of site character in its gravelly minerality and spicy, brooding charm. Red/blue fruit, clove, gravel and black licorice wrap around a sensual yet muscular wine. Chalky, powdery, cocoa-like tannins march through the finish, wrapping this up in style. The 2022 is a blend of 78% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 4% Grand Noir and 4% Lenoir.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)

The Wine Advocate: 91 Points “The 2022 Pagani Ranch Norma’s Block is made up of 78% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 4% Grand Noir and 4% Lenoir. It has fragrant aromas of boysenberry, peach preserves, dried herbs and lilac. The medium-bodied palate is bursting with wild berry flavors. It has an approachable, supple texture, mouthwatering acidity and a long, floral finish. Although it’s ideal for pairing with spicy dishes, it’s light enough to drink on its own.” -Erin Brooks (September 2024)