2023 Pagani Ranch Norma’s Block

Deep blackberry, black licorice, cappuccino and blood orange on the nose. Formidable structure with mouth-coating tannins. Layers of blue and black fruit, chocolate, pepper and tremendous length on the finish. SR (6/25)

Named for the family matriarch, Norma, who still lovingly tends the oldest blocks on the ranch. These parcels were planted in the early 1900s and include the original plantings of zinfandel, petite sirah, and teinturier varieties. The cool growing year delayed harvest, allowing the fruit more time on the vine to develop its flavors. This formidable wine has impressive texture and depth on release and will continue to evolve over the next ten years. SR (1/25)

Block 32 and 33 were planted in the 1880’s and are the oldest plantings on the Pagani Ranch. Just adjacent, block 35 is comprised of ancient teinturier varieties, alicante bouschet, grand noir and lenoir. This block is an anomaly, as isolated teinturier blocks are not usually found in old vineyards, but rather they are sporadically interplanted in a field blend. Since 1991, Ridge has made wine from the Pagani vineyard on the western side of Sonoma Valley. 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: 64 inches (above average)
Bloom: End of June
Weather: Late and prolonged harvest due to consistently cool weather throughout the growing season.

Harvest Date: 16 October
Grapes: Average Brix 24.3˚
TA: 7.34 g/L
pH: 3.78
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed and crushed. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; pumped over a floating cap.
Barrels: Air-dried American oak barrels (20% new, 10% one year old, 20% two years old, 5% three years old, and 45% neutral).
Aging: Fourteen months

Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested, grapes; whole-cluster pressed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by a full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 184 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: 96 Points “A stunning wine and a truly novel blend, the 2023 Ridge ‘Pagani Ranch Norma’s Block’ Zinfandel has 10% Petite Sirah and 14% Alicante Bouschet blended in. It is lively, with serious verve once on the mouth, with a refined mouthfeel. Gorgeous red and dark fruits parade with dark chocolate shavings, graphite and soft tannins that frame this beauty. A total stunner, this is the finest edition of this wine that I have yet savored. Drink 2025-2040.” -Owen Bargreen (June 2025)

Wine Spectator: 93 Points “A real bruiser, bold and potent, with concentrated currant and blackberry flavors accented with savory dill, white pepper and Asian dark spices. Ends with broad-shouldered tannins. Needs time. Zinfandel. Best from 2026 through 2035.” -Tim Fish (July 2025)

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