{"title":"Ridge","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"ridge-paso-robles-zinfandel","title":"Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRidge Paso Robles Zinfandel\u003c\/strong\u003e is a single-vineyard Zinfandel from century-old vines in Paso Robles, bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned 96 points from Zinfandel Chronicles and 94 points from Jeb Dunnuck, underscoring its reputation as one of California's benchmark Zinfandels from old-vine fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.5–14.8% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Paso Robles, Central Coast AVA, California  |  Varietal: Zinfandel (occasionally with up to 5% Petite Sirah)  |  Producer: Ridge Vineyards\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRidge Vineyards, founded in 1962 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is widely recognized as one of California's most historically significant wineries. The Paso Robles bottling is sourced exclusively from Benito Dusi's Ranch, where head-trained, untrelissed Zinfandel vines were planted in 1922 — notably, two years after the start of Prohibition. The vines root into rocky, gravelly soils that naturally restrict yields and concentrate flavor. Ridge employs a minimal-intervention approach throughout: grapes are hand-harvested, fermented with natural indigenous yeasts, and undergo 100% natural primary and secondary fermentation. This is the only Zinfandel vineyard Ridge sources from within the Central Coast Viticultural Area, making it a singular expression in their portfolio.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with bright red and black plums before moving into spearmint, muddled mint leaf, and Christmas baking spices. Deeper layers reveal cigar smoke and peppery herbs that signal the wine's old-vine complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, led by boysenberry and bright cherry. At mid-palate, brown baking spices, orange peel, and white pepper emerge alongside a briary, structured core. The acidity is exhilarating — a hallmark of the Dusi Ranch fruit — keeping the wine vibrant and balanced despite its ripe concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to long, with lingering notes of leather, earth, sweet spice, and dark berry. The texture is polished yet grippy, with enough tannic structure to reward several years of cellaring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Ridge Paso Robles Zin\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis Zinfandel is at its best served slightly below room temperature, around 60–65°F, in a large-bowled glass that allows the aromatic complexity to unfold. A brief 30-minute decant helps the spice and fruit integrate further.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZinfandel Smash:\u003c\/strong\u003e The wine's briary fruit and mint aromatics play naturally with muddled blackberries and fresh mint in this rustic cocktail-style wine punch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed Wine Sangria:\u003c\/strong\u003e The bold cherry and plum fruit with baking spice notes hold up beautifully against citrus and brandy additions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKalimotxo (Red Wine \u0026amp; Cola):\u003c\/strong\u003e While unconventional, the peppery spice and dark fruit of this Zin stand up to the sweetness in a surprisingly refreshing combination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Zinfandel enthusiast who values old-vine heritage and vineyard provenance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a weekend barbecue featuring smoked ribs or tri-tip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a benchmark California Zinfandel to a cellar collection for medium-term aging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServing at a wine dinner alongside other Ridge single-vineyard bottlings for a comparative tasting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers bright cherry and boysenberry fruit layered with brown baking spices, white pepper, and a briary, earthy undertone. Vibrant acidity keeps the wine lively despite its ripe, concentrated fruit profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel compare to other premium single-vineyard Zinfandels?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ridge's minimal-intervention winemaking and reliance on natural yeast fermentation tend to produce a more restrained, terroir-driven style than many Paso Robles Zinfandels, which often lean richer and more fruit-forward. The century-old Dusi Ranch vines also contribute a depth and complexity that younger-vine bottlings typically cannot match.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — its layered aromatics, balanced acidity, and structured finish make it an ideal wine for contemplative sipping on its own, especially with a brief decant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel made?\u003c\/strong\u003e The grapes are grown at Benito Dusi's Ranch in Paso Robles, within California's Central Coast Viticultural Area. Ridge Vineyards, headquartered in the Santa Cruz Mountains at Monte Bello, vinifies the wine using their signature low-intervention techniques.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel?\u003c\/strong\u003e Smoked tri-tip or brisket complements the wine's briary spice. Lamb sausage with fennel mirrors its peppery herbs. Aged cheddar or Manchego echoes the earthy undertones. Pizza with Italian sausage and roasted peppers matches the wine's fruit intensity. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the finish's sweet spice notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel positions as a mid-premium expression — priced above everyday Zinfandels but accessible relative to other single-vineyard, old-vine bottlings. Given its consistent critical acclaim (93–96 points across major publications) and the provenance of century-old vines, it represents strong value within the premium Zinfandel category.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew California Zinfandels can claim fruit from vines planted in 1922 on a single estate. The Dusi Ranch's head-trained, untrelissed vines — surviving a century of phylloxera pressure, drought, and neglect — produce naturally low yields of intensely concentrated fruit that no young vineyard can replicate. Ridge's commitment to natural yeast fermentation and minimal intervention allows that vineyard character to come through unmasked. With scores reaching 96 points and consistent praise from critics including Wine Spectator, Jeb Dunnuck, and Wine Enthusiast, this bottling has earned its standing as one of the most authentic old-vine Zinfandel expressions in California.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ridge","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837880955049,"sku":"33561","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Ridge-Paso-Robles-Zinfandel__91768.jpg?v=1730498181"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/ridge.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}