2023 Paso Robles Zinfandel

Jammy red confiture with subtle toasty oak aromas. Medium-full bodied, soft mouthfeel with abundant raspberry fruit, a hint of mint, and ample acidity. JO (1/25)

Since 1967, and our first zinfandel from the Dusi Ranch, it is typically the first vineyard picked, a harbinger that harvest has begun. In 2023, however, despite warm spring weather, cooler summer temperatures persisted through September, resulting in one of the latest harvests here in the last 40 years. This cool weather during ripening did help retain acidity. Fruit-forward and sumptuous, this exemplary zinfandel is best enjoyed on release and over the next five years. JO (11/24)

Benito Dusi’s Ranch is the only zinfandel vineyard that Ridge sources from within the Central Coast Viticultural Area. The 1967 vintage was our first wine from the Dusi Ranch. It was planted to zinfandel in 1922 which is unusual because Prohibition had started two years earlier. Purchased by Sylvester and Catarina Dusi in 1924, the property has been farmed since the 1940s by their son Benito, the owner. Benito passed away in 2019, leaving the care of the vineyard to his nephew, Mike.

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

Harvest Dates: 2 – 12 October
Grapes: Average Brix 25.5˚
TA: 6.7 g/L
pH: 3.48
Fermentation: 100% natural primary and secondary fermentation.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 10% one year old, and 75% four and five years old).
Aging: Twelve months in barrel

Benito Dusi Vineyard 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,136 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: 94 Points “Dark crimson in color. High toned nose black fruits, licorice and mint. Medium to full bodied with perfect acidity and balance. Rich, silky and concentrated. Blackberry, raspberry liqueur, strawberry and white pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Sublime Zinfandel that will drink well for another 3-5 years.” -Tom Lee (March 2025)

OwenBargreen.com: 94 Points “The 2023 ‘Paso Robles’ Zinfandel is sourced from the Dusi Vineyard, as this wine was first made by Ridge in the 1960s. 100% varietal, this offers graphite and dark chocolate shavings mingle well with cardamom dusted orange peel and menthol notes on the nose. The palate is very fresh and lithe on the mouth, with terrific tension and texture, as well as salty undertones. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035.” -Owen Bargreen (March 2025)

JebDunnuck.com: 94 Points “The 2023 Zinfandel Benito Dusi Ranch is made from 100% Zinfandel, the vines old and established; Ridge’s first vintage was 1967. Featuring full-bodied, jammy red fruit, it is juicy, broad, and fleshy while also offering a high-toned, restrained style. A hallmark of the vineyard is its great acidity, with brightness a consistent characteristic across vintages. Round, it’s not sweet but allows enough sweetness from the fruit to be lush and appealing from start to finish, spending 12 months in 15% new American oak. Drink now through 2033.” -Virginie Boone (April 2025)

Wine.com: 93 Points “The historic Dusi Ranch, established in 1923, has been an excellent source of Paso Robles Zinfandels. The 2023 Ridge Benito Dusi Ranch is robust and fulfilling. This wine excels with aromas and flavors of explosive ripe berries, apricot pits, and sandalwood. Try it with spicy Italian sausages, and be sure to include plenty of fennel. (Best Served: 2025-2032)” -Wilfred Wong (March 2025)

Vinography.com “Very dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of blackberries and black licorice. In the mouth, blackberry pie flavors (though without overt sweetness) are boisterous and bright with excellent acidity. Hints of coconut, sweet oak, and a touch of brown sugar linger in the finish. Juicy and very tasty. 14.9% alcohol. Score: Between 8.5 and 9.” -Alder Yarrow (April 2025)

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