2024 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel

Nose of toffee, black cherry, wild herbs and orange zest. Coating tannins with flavors of raspberry, honeycomb, black tea and balanced acidity. SR (4/26)

Ample winter rains and calm spring weather provided excellent conditions for flowering and set. By mid-September, the grapes were ripe, and flavors complex. The young zinfandel was ready first, followed by century-old zinfandel, and finally, the tannic, red-fleshed alicante bouschet. With plentiful fruit and bright acidity, this wine will age beautifully over the next seven to eight years. SR (12/25)

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: 45 inches (above average)
Bloom: Mid-May
Weather: A cool start to the season. From early June on, the weather was warm to hot, leading to a condensed harvest.

Harvest Dates: 11 – 21 October
Grapes: Average Brix 24.9˚
TA: 5.70 g/L
pH: 3.63
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed and crushed. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; pumped over a floating cap.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 5% one year old, 5% two years old, 50% three years old, and 25% neutral oak.).
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, 94 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.

Zinfandel Chronicles: 95 Points “Bright crimson in color. Sublime nose of red fruits, licorice, baking spices and pepper. Medium body with perfect acidity. Packed with bright, juicy fruits. Tremendous structure, concentration and balance. Cherry, raspberry liqueur, spiced plums and white pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Just a stunning vintage of Pagani Ranch that will drink well for at least a decade.” -Tom Lee (February 2026)

Wilfred Wong: 95 Points “The 2024 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel shows a deep ruby, purple hue with attractive, voluptuous berry aromas that leap from the glass; full-bodied, juicy, and round with impressive length on the palate, its bold berry flavors are generous yet beautifully defined; dense but never overblown, it finishes long and expressive, capturing the richness and old-vine soul of this historic vineyard with both power and restraint. I have always kept a keen eye on the Pagani Ranch wines, and the 2024 Ridge has rewarded me in spades. Paired with Korean galbi—soy, garlic, sesame, and pear-marinated short ribs kissed by the grill—the wine’s lush fruit and structure find perfect harmony in the sweet-savory char, each bite and sip building toward a deeply satisfying finish. (Best Served: 2026-2036)” -Wilfred Wong (March 2026)

JamesSuckling.com: 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.” -Jim Gordon (March 2026)

Wine Spectator: 92 Points “Potently structured and brooding, with deep blackberry flavors accented by dark chocolate, fruitcake spices and black olive as this builds toward full-bodied tannins. Best from 2027 through 2037.” -Tim Fish (March 2026)

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