Ridge Vineyards Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2023

Ridge Vineyards Pagani Ranch Zinfandel is a classic Sonoma Valley old-vine field blend from one of California’s most historic vineyards. Made predominantly from Zinfandel, with Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah and Mataro adding depth and structure, the 2023 vintage combines rich, mature fruit with a notably elegant freshness. Ridge has crafted wine from Pagani Ranch since 1991, while the oldest vines date back to between 1896 and 1922.

Tasting Notes
Deep and richly coloured, the wine opens with generous aromas of ripe blackberry, dark cherry and plum, layered with subtle spice and the earthy, rustic nuances associated with old-vine Sonoma Zinfandel. On the palate, it is full-bodied and concentrated, yet more refined and lifted than a typical warm-climate Zinfandel. Dark fruit is framed by fresh acidity and firm, savoury structure, while Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro contribute additional depth, grip and complexity. The 2023 vintage is expected to develop beautifully over the next 7–8 years, gaining further savoury and tertiary character with bottle age.

Production
Pagani Ranch lies in Sonoma Valley on gravelly clay soils, where vines are traditionally grown as ungrafted-looking, free-standing bush vines without trellising. Most of the vineyard is between 90 and 120 years old, with 30 acres planted from 1896 to 1922. The cool 2023 growing season led to a long, late harvest, with the old Zinfandel vines picked in early October and the younger vines around ten days later. The grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed and crushed, followed by naturally occurring alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. The wine matured for 14 months in American oak, with only 3% new barrels.

Food & Serving
Serve at approximately 16–18°C after allowing the wine to breathe. Decanting for around 30–60 minutes is recommended in its youth to open the dark fruit and integrate the structure, while older bottles should be decanted carefully off any sediment. Its generous fruit and savoury depth make it an excellent match for grilled or slow-roasted beef, barbecued ribs, rich sausages, roast lamb, mushroom dishes and mature hard cheeses.

Producer
Founded in 1959, Ridge Vineyards is one of California’s most respected producers, celebrated for its expressive, site-driven wines and traditional approach to winemaking. The estate is particularly renowned for Monte Bello, while its old-vine Zinfandels showcase the historic vineyards of Sonoma and California’s broader heritage. With minimal intervention, natural fermentation and a focus on vineyard character, Ridge has become a benchmark producer for age-worthy California wines.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.