2019 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel

Rich plum and blueberry on the nose with floral notes. Medium to full-bodied on the palate with ample blackberry, currant, and dark chocolate. Balanced structure with supple texture and a long, layered finish. MB (7/21)

Late spring rains delayed the start of the growing season but warm steady weather in August ripened the grapes by late September. Fermented over nine days, focused fruit and elegant tannins are complemented by the firm acidity typical of this vineyard. Aging in American oak adds an extra note of spice. Enjoyable upon release, this well-balanced zinfandel will evolve over another eight years.

Since 1991, Ridge has made zinfandel from the Pagani vineyard on the western side of Sonoma Valley. The majority of the vineyard was planted ninety to one hundred twenty years ago; portions of it were replanted between 2013—2018. The vineyard is meticulously tended by a quality-conscious family who has worked the land for four generations. An average site would have been abandoned during the thirteen years of Prohibition, or during the Depression. Its long survival is proof of its merit.

Rainfall: 46 inches (above average)
Bloom: May
Weather: Total rainfall for the season was almost double our usual amounts. The vines responded with bountiful yields of great quality.

Harvest Dates: 19 September – 5 October
Grapes: Average Brix 24.5˚
TA: 7.34 g/L
pH: 3.52
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed and crushed. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; pumped over a floating cap and pressed at nine days.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels; 15% new, 15% one-year-old, 20% two-year-old, 20% three-year-old,15% four-year-old, and 15% five-year-old).
Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

Pagani Ranch grapes; hand-harvested; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 57 ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

OwenBargreen.com: 95 Points “A blend of 90% Zinfandel with small parts Petite Sirah, and Alicante Bouchet, this beautiful wine shows off a core of ripe red plum, soy sauce, white pepper and a touch of blueberry compote on the palate. Full-bodied, with bright lip-smacking acidity, this outstanding new Zinfandel will be drinking well over the next fifteen years.” -Owen Bargreen (August 2021)

Vinous: 94 Points “The 2019 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is stellar. Pagani is a Sonoma grand cru, and that is exactly what comes through here: pedigree. All the elelments are so beautifully woven together. Silky tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish fruit, with hints of rose petal, lavender, cinnamon and blood orange that appear later. Bright acids punctuate the finish. Readers who can find the Pagani Ranch should not hesitate, as it is superb.” -Antonio Galloni (May 2022)

JebDunnuck.com: 94 Points “The deep purple/ruby-hued 2019 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch comes from a site in the Sonoma Valley and is 90% Zinfandel, 6% Petit Sirah, and the rest Alicante Bouschet. Red plums, blueberries, blood orange, and candied violet notes all emerge from this beauty, which is medium to full-bodied and offers an ultra-fine texture, silky tannins, and a great finish. This is one impressive, satisfying Zinfandel to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years.” -Jeb Dunnuck (July 2021)

Wine Spectator: 93 Points “Deeply structured but not weighty, showing black raspberry and blueberry flavors laced with bittersweet chocolate, green peppercorns and fruitcake spices that build tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2030.” -T.F. (April 2022)

Wine Enthusiast: 93 Points “Aromas of wild sage and sunbaked earth lead to a smooth, supple texture and abundant ripe berry flavors in this full-bodied, well-balanced wine. Tart raspberry and rich blackberry mingle with very light smoky notes for good complexity. Best through 2028. ” -Jim Gordon (January 2022)

Average Rating: 91.4

No. of Tasting Notes: 73

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