Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Ridge Vineyards – Zinfandel – 2023
Benito Dusi Ranch – Paso Robles – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An extraordinary single-vineyard Zinfandel from one of the most historic and consistent sites in Paso Robles. The 2023 vintage delivers depth, purity, and that unmistakable Dusi Ranch character—old-vine concentration wrapped in Ridge’s signature balance and finesse. This bottling remains one of the benchmark Zinfandels in California.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe plum, and raspberry preserve with accents of warm spice, licorice, dried herbs, and a touch of cracked pepper. Subtle cocoa and cedar from restrained oak play in the background.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity energizes the palate while fine, structured tannins keep everything focused. Long, plush, and satisfyingly powerful.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, grilled lamb chops, wood-fired pizza, smoky brisket, or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A stellar expression of old-vine Paso Robles Zinfandel, opulent, balanced, and deeply flavorful. A true standout in Ridge’s portfolio.

Did You Know?
The Dusi family has farmed this vineyard for generations, and Ridge has made wine from the site since 1967. These old vines consistently produce some of the most character-rich Zinfandel in the state, making Benito Dusi one of Ridge’s most iconic single-vineyard bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits at the very top of my favorite Zinfandels, extraordinary from start to finish, and a reminder of why Ridge continues to define the category. — 4 days ago

Mary Matthews

9.1

Crisp Apple/ Cider taste. — 2 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Brock thompson jordan john s kevin b — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Very interesting Central Coast single varietal offering. Dark ruby color with a garnet rim. Plush aromas of black fruit, violets, smoke and wet slate. Black plum, black raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors with hints of black pepper and dark bitter chocolate. Long, dusty and mineral-laden finish. Plush soft tannins, fruit forward and quite fleshy. Wonderful balance and perfectly aged. Another unique and well crafted Boony Doon wine. — 4 months ago

Aloke Mukherjee

9.0

Sip and paint 02262025 — 9 months ago

Nicole Polanco

10

Had the 2018 with Kristen and Al, super good light Pinot — 3 years ago

Pierre-nicolas Chabanel

8.9

Vintage 2020 — 2 months ago

Konrad Ziegler

9.0

At Barcelona Wine Bar Westside — 2 months ago

Ann Elizabeth Mekala

9.5

So acidic, so salty. My favorite kind of white.

(Paired with a shrimp curry=perfect) — 8 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

The elegant side of #grenache - High-toned strawberry + red floral elements on the nose, elegant creamy texture on palate, soft tannins, balanced acidity. Lovely wine from I. Brand & Family Winery. #centralcoastwine — 3 years ago