2023 Three Valleys

Ruby red color, blackberry and raspberry on the nose. Medium bodied with smooth tannins, plum fruit and a note of vanilla on the finish. JO (1/25)

Since its inception, Ridge has focused on single vineyard wines. Three Valleys, a careful combining of parcels from complementary vineyards, is the exception. Moderate summer temperatures allowed the fruit to mature slowly and develop deep flavors for which Sonoma is known. Enjoyable now, this wine will continue to develop over the next five years. SR (6/24)

The history of the Ridge Three Valleys began with the release of the 2001. The wine contains grapes from a number of Sonoma vineyards—this year, ten. We take great care in selecting the fruit, which is hand-harvested, then crushed and fermented on its native yeast and naturally occurring malolactic bacteria at both Monte Bello and Lytton Springs wineries. Unlike our single-vineyard wines, which reflect the distinctive character of each site, Three Valleys represents the blending of vineyards—winemaking—at its finest. Zinfandel determines the wine’s varietal character; old-vine carignane contributes bright fruit and acidity; petite sirah spice, depth of color, and firm tannins.

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

Harvest Dates: 14 August – 31 September
Grapes: Average Brix 25.3˚
TA: 5.69 g/L
pH: 3.82
Fermentation: No inoculation; natrual primary and secondary.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (19% new, 8% one year old, 50% four years old, and 23% five-plus years old).
Aging: Twelve months in barrel

Hand-harvested grapes, destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts followed by a full malolactic on the natural-occurring bacteria; 1% water addition; tartaric acid; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35ppm at crush, 86ppm over the course of aging); membrane sterile filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Wine Specator: 93 Points “Generous and robust yet retains a sense of polish, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors highlighted by licorice and pepper, plus a whiff of dill as this builds toward fine-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Mataro and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2034.” -Tim Fish (March 2025)

Wine.com: 93 Points “Okay wine peeps, some of you may have looked past the Three Valleys Red Wine with your sights on Lytton Springs and Geyserville; that would be a mistake. The 2023 vintage is a standout in its own right. This wine delivers aromas and flavors of vivid ripe berries, dried earth, and rocks-in-the-desert. Serve it with braised short ribs. (Best Served: 2025-2030)” -Wilfred Wong (March 2025)

Zinfandel Chronicles: 93 Points “Purple in color. Savory nose of dark fruits, baking spices and earth. Full bodied with ample acidity. Big, rich and grapey. Black cherry, blackberry cobbler, plums and earth on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Delicious, approachable and fairly priced. Best over the next 2-3 years.” -Tom Lee (March 2025)

JebDunnuck.com: 93 Points “Made since 2001 from a number of Sonoma County vineyards, the 2023 Three Valleys blends 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% each Mataro and Alicante Bouschet from Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Russian River Valley. Floral, it is complex and less rustic than usual, the vintage showing classic charm and elegance. Though it is one of Ridge’s largest production wines, it is made in the exact same way as all its others, in open top tanks with real oak and native fermentations. It’s meant to represent a vintage more than a location. A popular by-the-glass pour, order it when you see it. It’s drinking well now and should continue to for another 5-7 years.” -Virginie Boone (April 2025)

OwenBargreen.com: 91 Points “The 2023 ‘Three Valleys’ is mainly Zinfandel (71%) with the remainder Carignane, Petite Sirah, Mataro and Alicante Bouschet. Bright red fruits and bramble notes with green herbs mark the nose alongside shades of milk chocolate. This is a fresher edition of this wine, showing great tension from this slightly cooler vintage, alongside salty and stony undertones and a dense core of red fruits. Drink 2025-2031.” -Owen Bargreen (March 2025)

Vinography.com “Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of blackberries, licorice, and blueberries. In the mouth, bright blackberry and blueberry flavors are juicy with excellent acidity as ghostlike tannins hang at the edge of perception and juicy hints of peach and citrus linger in the finish with the faint coconut scent of American oak. A blend of 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro and 2% Alicante Bouschet. 14.6% alcohol. Score: Between 8.5 and 9.” -Alder Yarrow (March 2025)

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