2024 Paso Robles Zinfandel

Plush, rich expression with a nose of dark Morello cherry and strawberry jam. The palate shows generous fruit density with well-incorporated acidity and tannin, carrying into a juicy mid-palate of ripe blackberry and a lingering, vibrant finish. LL (12/25)

Despite delayed budbreak, sustained summer heat quickly ripened the grapes for a late August harvest. Natural yeast fermentations completed within seven days. After pressing, the wine began malolactic in tank but was then sent to barrel to finish. Aging in twenty percent new American oak adds spice to the abundant fruit. Sensuous and immediately pproachable, this classic Paso Robles Zinfandel can be enjoyed over the next six to seven years. JO (10/25)

Benito Dusi’s Ranch is the only zinfandel vineyard that Ridge sources from within the Central Coast Viticultural Area. The 1967 vintage was our first wine from the Dusi Ranch. It was planted to zinfandel in 1922 which is unusual because Prohibition had started two years earlier. Purchased by Sylvester and Catarina Dusi in 1924, the property has been farmed since the 1940s by their son Benito, the owner. Benito passed away in 2019, leaving the care of the vineyard to his nephew, Mike.

Rainfall: 17 inches (normal)
Bloom: Early 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: 4 – 6 September
Grapes: Average Brix 25.1˚
TA: 5.0 g/L
pH: 3.57
Fermentation: 100% natural primary and secondary fermentation.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 20% one year old, and 65% four and five years old).
Aging: Twelve months in barrel

Benito Dusi Vineyard 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, 236 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. Intriguing nose of red fruits, citrus, herbs and flowers. Medium body with perfect acidity. Fresh and vibrant with an abundance of sweet fruits. Raspberry, cranberry, blood orange and nutmeg on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Tremendous Zinfandel that can be enjoyed now and over the next 4-6 years.” -Tom Lee (February 2026)

OwenBargreen.com: 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. Drink 2026-2036.” -Owen Bargreen (March 2026)

WineSpectator: 94 Points “A spirited red, sleek and elegantly layered, with expressive flavors of raspberry and strawberry laced with rose petal, briar and savory spices. Drink now through 2035.” -Tim Fish (March 2026)

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

Vinous Media: 93 Points “The 2024 Zinfandel Paso Robles leads the charge with a rich, oak-driven personality, but it’s impressively fresh and bright for such a broad-shouldered wine. Milk chocolate, wild blueberries, fresh orange zest and pretty violet tones sizzle through the long finish, leaving behind a nip of cocoa powder tannin to pull it all together.” -Billy Norris (January 2026)

Wilfred Wong: 93 Points “The 2024 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles Dusi Ranch shows a deep ruby color; toasty aromas with brambleberry notes; full-bodied, layered, and long on the palate; dry, with balanced acidity and well-balanced structure; expressive berry flavors unfold with warmth and depth; finishing long and satisfying. Paired with Santa Maria–style tri-tip, the garlic and pepper-crusted beef, kissed by smoke and flame, echoes the wine’s toasty aromatics and brambly berry depth; the juicy, layered texture of the meat complements the wine’s full-bodied structure, while its balanced acidity keeps everything in check—resulting in a pairing that is warm, satisfying, and distinctly Californian in spirit. (Best Served: 2026-2035)” -Wilfred Wong (March 2026)

Wine Advocate: 91 Points “On the nose, the 2024 Zinfandel Paso Robles exudes a classic profile of spiced red berries and a gentle framing of American oak, leading to a generously plush palate and a juicy, vibrant finish. As ever, this is a charming and delicious example of Paso Robles Zinfandel, rendered with a mix of classicism and playfulness.” -Matthew Luczy (April 2026)

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