2023 East Bench Zinfandel

Strawberry, clove and vanilla notes on the nose. Raspberry, sage, chocolate and black olive flavors give way to mouth-coating tannins with bright acidity and a long finish. Classic Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. (SR 12/24)

In 1999, we planted this twenty-acre parcel to zinfandel. As the vineyard has matured, depth and complexity of flavor have increased. After plentiful winter rain, the vines set a full crop. Each parcel was crushed and fermented separately. In blind tasting, seven of the blocks were selected for this wine. A perfect example of both varietal and site, this classic zinfandel will be at its best over the next seven years. SR (11/24)

Ridge has made the East Bench as a single vineyard since 2006, one of the few Ridge zinfandels that is 100% zinfandel. The vineyard sits high atop the bench land that overlooks Dry Creek Valley from the east.

Rainfall: 64 inches (above average)
Bloom: End of June
Weather: Late and prolonged harvest due to consistently cool weather throughout the growing season.

Harvest Dates: 29 September – 7 October
Grapes: Average Brix 23.9˚
TA: 6.1 g/L
pH: 3.64
Fermentation: Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (14% new, 10% one year old, 10% two years old, and 66% five-plus years old).
Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested; estate-grown organic grapes; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the indigenous yeast, followed by a full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 112 ppm during aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

JebDunnuck.com: 95 Points “A 100% Zin from a single-vineyard estate of organically grown grapes in iron-rich soils, the 2023 Zinfandel East Bench is one of the producer’s only 100% Zins, and it is special at that, with mind-blowing structure. Medium-bodied and remarkably light on its feet, it has classic brambly berry fruit, dusty tannins, and seasonings of baking spice, a fantastically elegant representation of the appellation when in the right hands. Enjoy now through 2033.” -Virginie Boone (April 2025)

OwenBargreen.com: 94 Points “The 2023 ‘East Bench’ Zinfandel is sourced from a small site in the Dry Creek Valley, the Funstein Ranch, set on volcanic iron rich soils. This is plush and rich Zin, offering a gorgeous body, salinity and core of red and dark fruits. Full-bodied and showing chocolate and graphite accents, with shades of sagebrush, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037.” -Owen Bargreen (March 2025)

Wine.com: 92 Points “One of my newest Ridge Vineyards discoveries, the 2023 East Bench Funsten Ranch is impressive and striking. This wine showcases aromas and flavors of earth, chalk, and medium tart berries. Try it with eggplant parmesan —a great vegan option to pair with this lively Zin.” -Wilfred Wong (March 2025)

Zinfandel Chronicles: 92 Points “Bright crimson in color. Brooding nose of black fruits, baking spices and flowers. Medium to full bodied with just the right amount of acidity. Big, dark and earthy. Blackberry, boysenberry, earth and pepper on the palate. The finish is long and spicy. Delicious Zinfandel that embodies the Dry Creek. Best over the next 3-4 years.” -Tom Lee (March 2025)

Vinography.com “Dark garnet in the glass with purple highlights, this wine smells of blackberries, blueberries, and licorice. In the mouth, bright blackberry and unripe blackberry flavors are shot through with blueberries and dried herbs, as hints of licorice root and a touch of coconutty American oak linger in the finish. Fleecy tannins coat the mouth, and bright acidity makes sure things stay fresh and mouthwatering. 14.3% alcohol. Score: around 8.5.” -Alder Yarrow (March 2025)

See all food pairing recipes we have created specifically for this wine.