JamesSuckling.com’s Tasting Report Features Standout Wines from RIDGE
JamesSuckling.com
In 1962, Ridge Vineyards made its first Monte Bello, a wine of great significance, depth, complexity and aging potential. Since our first vintage in 1966, Geyserville has displayed an unparalleled consistency of character. Soon after, in 1972, our first vintage of Lytton Springs proved to be one of those sites where soil, climate, and variety were perfectly matched. We are pleased to see three wines from these Estate vineyards featured as top-scoring wines in JamesSuckling.com’s weekly wine report. These wines were tasted by Jim Gordon, Editor-at-Large for JamesSuckling.com. Read on for impressions from these time-honored sites, plus find exciting new wines from our partner vineyards.
2023 Monte Bello | 98 Points
From our Santa Cruz Mountains winery estate, the 2023 Monte Bello is giving nostalgic vibes to editor Jim Gordon: “Old vines growing at 1,300 to 2,700 feet elevation yielded a wine that harks back to the lean, sinewy American cabernets that were common in the 1970s and 1980s.”
“Haunting aromas of tobacco leaves, iron and graphite lead to potent, concentrated black olive, black cherry, wild sage and cocoa flavors in this fresh, brilliant classic from an elegant vintage. Aged in 100% new oak barrels, about 95% American. It’s tight and closed but bursting with potential. Unusually low in alcohol at 13.2%. Drinkable now if you want to, but it’ll be much better with time.”
Note: Monte Bello will be released to club members in August 2026.
2024 Geyserville Vineyard | 95 Points
“An elegant, well-balanced, trim and layered wine that also offers beautiful ripeness and depth of fruit flavors. Raspberries, blackberries and cassis are complemented by balsam and cedar accents from aging in American oak. Milk chocolate lingers in the finish. Drink now or hold.”
2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | 94 Points
“An elegant year for this medium-bodied wine that’s a junior to Ridge Monte Bello cabernet. So poised, flavorful, savory and well-balanced, with fine-grained tannins supporting black-olive, black-cherry, bay-leaf, cocoa and iron flavors. Moderate alcohol at 13.4%. Drink now or hold.”
2024 Paso Robles Zinfandel | 94 Points
“Very ripe, almost sweet, but elegant, silky and generous. This full-bodied wine is soft in tannins and rich in cherries, strawberries and red plums. Made from 100% zinfandel vines more than 100 years old. Drink or hold.”
2024 East Bench Zinfandel | 94 Points
“A hefty, deep and fruity wine that’s full-bodied and moderately tannic, offering floral, raspberry, blackberry and blueberry aromas with a slightly chewy texture and a lingering finish. From a Ridge-owned property near its Lytton Springs winery. Drink now.”
2024 Three Valleys | 93 Points
“This generous, dark-fruited blend of California heritage grape varieties, led by zinfandel, is Ridge’s biggest-production red and affordably priced. Blackberries, cola and black cherries with hints of black pepper and sage. Soft tannins. Drink now.”
2025 Lytton Estate Rosé | 92 Points
“A super-light-colored rosé that looks like a white wine. Light-bodied but exuberant in fresh berry, peach and melon flavors, with bright acidity underneath. Made from grenache, zinfandel and cinsault as well as other early-picked grape varieties on the Ridge Sonoma County property. Drink now.”
2024 Estate Chardonnay | 94 Points
“A beautiful, toasty, buttery wine, full-bodied and abundant in fruit and oak spices, showing baked-apple, ripe-pear, butterscotch and brioche flavors. Made from 40-year-old vines of the Wente clone, growing on limestone soil and fermented in 4% new oak, mostly American. Drink now or hold.”
2025 Heringer Chenin Blanc | 91 Points
“A medium-bodied, friendly white that’s fresh and delicious, with lots of tropical fruit and a spicy ginger note. Tangy and intricate but wrapped in a smooth mouthfeel, showing white peaches and lime zest. Drink now.”
Preview our Fall Releases
2024 Lytton Springs | 95 Points
“One of the most structured, concentrated and powerful of Ridge’s old-vine zinfandel-dominant reds. Packed with blueberries, raspberries, orange zest, chocolate, turned earth and new leather. Delicious, detailed and deep. Drink now or hold.”
2024 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel | 93 Points
“An extra-ripe and rich red, offering maple, chocolate and vanilla-bean flavors alongside dark plums, dried cherries and orange zest. So full-bodied, with smooth tannins, great breadth and length. A field blend from vines dating back to the 19th century, including zinfandel, alicante bouschet, petite sirah and mataro (mourvedre). Drink now.”
2023 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah | 93 Points
“Generous and juicy for a grape variety that can be tannic and tough. Medium-bodied, firm in texture, well-balanced and bursting with blueberry and dark-chocolate flavors. Drink now or hold.”
Become a RIDGE Club Member to receive first access to small-production wines, many only available direct from the winery.
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