2022 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel

Jammy black raspberry, orange zest and garrigue on the nose. Silky tannins and firm acidity. Flavors of blackberry, honeycomb and white pepper linger on the finish. SR (7/24)

Early flowering and mild summer weather provided excellent growing conditions. This vineyard in the cool Sonoma Valley is always the last picked, but this year it ripened early. It came in over five days in mid-September. Selected blocks of old vines planted between 1896 and 1922 give depth of flavor and texture. The younger vines add intense fruit and racy acidity. This fine wine will be most enjoyable over the next ten years. SR (11/23)

Since 1991, Ridge has made zinfandel from the Pagani vineyard on the western side of Sonoma Valley. The majority of the vineyard was planted ninety to one hundred twenty 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.

Rainfall: 22 inches (below average)
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 Dates: 13 – 17 September
Grapes: Average Brix 24.1˚
TA: 7.65 g/L
pH: 3.51
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed and crushed. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; pumped over a floating cap.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 10% one year old, 20% two years old, 5% three years old, and 50% neutral oak).
Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

Pagani Ranch grapes; hand-harvested; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 140 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: 96 Points “Stunning nose of red fruits, citrus and baking spices. Medium to full bodied with exquisite acidity. Amazing purity of fruits. Cherry, raspberry liqueur, blood orange and a hint of earth on the palate. Always one of my favorite Zins in the Ridge lineup and the 2022 is stellar. Best over the next 4-6 years.” -Tom Lee (August 2024)

OwenBargreen.com: 95 Points “The 2022 ‘Pagani Ranch’ has 9% Alicante Bouchet as well as smaller portions Petite Sirah and Mataro blended in. This is rich and concatenated Zinfandel, showing chocolate with bramble, red cherry and dill notes on the nose. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured, with serious depth and structure. The balance here is impeccable despite the obvious warmth of the vintage. Drink 2024-2034.” -Owen Bargreen (October 2024)

The Wine Advocate: 94 Points “The 2022 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is a blend of 82% Zinfandel, 9% Alicante Bouschet, 5% Petite Sirah and 4% Mataro. It has layered scents of blueberry preserves, yellow peach, toasted coconut and floral perfume. The palate combines generous, layered, fragrant flavors with silky tannins and bursts of mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, expressive finish.” -Erin Brooks (September 2024)

Decanter: 94 Points “Alluring spice aromatics tip off this classically California Zinfandel from this cooler site in the Sonoma Valley appellation, always Ridge’s last pick. The Pagani Ranch Zinfandel comes from selected blocks of vines planted between 1896 and 1922, this bottling is a bit of American wine history. Clove, frankincense, spiced blood orange, and black liquorice aromas meld with black fruits, sugar plums, and crushed ripe figs. The palate is buoyant, with ripe black raspberries, plump blackberries, dusty mineral tones, and a mixture of exotic spices, which finish this wine with a sense of grace amid its ripe fruit profile.” -Clive Pursehouse (September 2024)

JamesSuckling.com: 93 Points “An extra-bold and full-bodied wine that stays balanced and fresh due to moderate tannins and some cranberry-like acidity. Huge aromas of crushed cherries, strawberries and blackberries, then the ripeness of jam without the sweetness. It’s a blockbuster in terms of concentration, but not too heavy or tannic. Drink or hold.” – (September 2024)

Vinous Media: 93 Points “The 2022 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch smells like the freshest orange juice imaginable. Dump that orange juice on a pile of smashed blueberries and pulverized rocks, then crush some rosemary in your palm over the top of the whole ordeal, and you’ll get an idea of the uniquely Pagani expression here. The old vines convey so much depth and seriousness. There’s ample nuance and energy to burn.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)

Wilfred Wong: 92 Points “The Pagani Ranch has often produced some of my favorite Zinfandels from Sonoma Valley; it is generally quite concentrated. The 2022 vintage offers aromas and flavors of bold berries that stays long on the palate. This wine shows aromas and flavors of aromatic American oak, dried berries, and a slight note of black earth. Try it with BBQ baby back ribs. (Best Served: 2025-2034)” (September 2024)

Average Rating: 92

No. of Tasting Notes: 3

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