Extraordinary Reviews for Ridge Vineyards’ Latest Releases

Owen Bargreen

March 2026

We are delighted that Owen Bargreen has published excellent new reviews for many of our recently released wines. Bargreen is the founder of OwenBargreen.com and has been writing about wine for more than ten years, having reviewed thousands of wines from around the world for publications such as Vinous and Decanter. Read on for his impressions.

2023 Monte Bello – 99 Points 

“A spellbinding Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 ‘Monte Bello’ was initially blended from 30 lots in the Monte Bello Vineyard. From a slightly cooler vintage, the 2023 has a slightly larger portion of Merlot (9%) added. It offers cool wintergreen notes on the nose alongside sandalwood, orange bell pepper, and fresh sage that combines with shades of boysenberry compote on this intoxicating nose. The palate is lush and round with a terrific mouthfeel and loads of mouth-watering finesse. Showing stunning length, this beauty really needs a year or two in the bottle before savoring.”

The 2023 Monte Bello will be offered to RIDGE wine club members in August 2026.

2024 Estate Chardonnay – 97 Points

“Sourced from the famed ‘Monte Bello Vineyard’ this incredible 2024 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay offers baking spice laced pastry crust and custard notes on the nose alongside shades of ripe banana and Japanese pear. The palate is dense and rich with sensational weight and length. This glides throughout the drinking experience, with a near minute-long finish. Extraordinary and very mineral-laden, enjoy now and over the next ten years.”

2024 Geyserville Vineyard – 96 Points

“The 2024 ‘Geyserville’ combines 71% Zinfandel with 19% Carignane and 8% Petite Sirah with a touch of Alicante. On the nose this takes on layers of milk chocolate and roasted dates alongside shades of espresso grounds with loganberry compote notes. The palate is plush, round and generous with a tremendous sense of salty tension and weight.”

2024 East Bench Zinfandel – 95 Points

“100% varietal, the outstanding 2024 ‘East Bench’ offers molten chocolate, tar and briar notes on the nose alongside suggestions of tobacco leaf. The palate is dense and delicious with a refined mouthfeel and great sense of weight and tension, loaded with salty nuances. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years.”

2024 Paso Robles Zinfandel – 95 Points

“Sourced from the Benito Dusi Ranch, the 2024 ‘Paso Robles’ Zinfandel offers sweet sandalwood and loganberry notes on the nose alongside suggestions of coffee grounds.  The palate is plush and rich with terrific toffee and roasted fig notes alongside serious tension on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years.”

2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – 94 Points

“All sourced from the famed ‘Monte Bello Vineyard’ this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon has 19% Merlot blended in with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Red bell pepper and fresh sage mark the nose alongside dark chocolate shavings, Arabica bean and creme de cassis. The palate is lush and tension-filled with terrific tension and verve with a smooth texture. The combination of weight, length and finesse is seriously good.”

2024 Three Valleys – 92 Points

“The 2024 ‘Three Valleys’ is 67% Zinfandel with 17% Carignan and smaller parts Mataro and Petite Sirah. This is juicy, forward and delicious with layers of red and dark fruits alongside milk chocolate and fresh sage. This is incredible wine for the price.”

2025 Heringer Chenin Blanc – 91 Points

“Nicely textured, this shows off nutty nuances around shades of ripe melon and white plum. Enjoy now.”

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Preview the Fall 2026 Releases

2024 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel – 96 Points

“This 2024 Zinfandel has small parts Alicante Bouchet (9%), Petite Sirah (5%) and Mataro (4%) blended in. Inky in the glass, this is seamless throughout the drinking experience, with terrific freshness. Black and blue fruits collide with orange peel, wintergreen and shades of black licorice. Refined and luxurious on the mouth, with terrific length, enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years.”

2024 Lytton Springs – 94 Points

“The 2024 ‘Lytton Springs’ combines 78% Zinfandel with 13% Petite Sirah and small parts Carignane, Alicante and Grenache. Garrigue notes mark the nose alongside wild blackberry and suggestions of blood orange zest. This is elegant and fresh with a smooth mouthful and loads of salty/stony tension, with dried huckleberry fruit nuances. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten years.”

2023 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah – 94 Points 

“Inky in the glass, the 2024 Ridge ‘Lytton Estate’ Petite Sirah offers rich huckleberry and graphite tones on the palate, with dark chocolate shavings. Full-bodied and also very finesse-driven, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years.”