Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Zinfandel 2023
(Sonoma County, California) - [WS 94]

About this Wine:
First produced in 1966, we have made this zinfandel every year for fifty-six years. Consistency of quality and vineyard character are its hallmarks. A dry winter with a moderate spring and summer ripened the grapes evenly. Showing plentiful fruit, elegant tannins and bright acidity, this fine wine will develop fully over the next fourteen years.

Tasting Notes:
Deep ruby in color with aromas of black cherry, dark plum, sarsaparilla, baking spices, toasted oak, and lavender. A fresh entry with bold red cherry and raspberry flavors. Subtle tannins and natural acidity lead to a long and pleasant finish. TG (10/23)

Technical Data

Vineyard: Geyserville
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Alcohol By Volume: 14.5%
Varietal Composition: 67% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Mataro
Organically Grow

Harvest Dates: 
Grapes: Average Brix 24.7˚
TA: 6.84 g/L
pH: 3.55
Fermentation: Full Crush, 100% floating cap. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; daily pump-overs.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels; 68% Appalachian, 20% Kentucky, and 12% Ozark (30% new, 22% one year old, 25% two years old, and 23% three years old and older).
Aging: Sixteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested grapes; 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, 141 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.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points – Wine Spectator: