2022 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles

The 2022 Zinfandel Paso Robles is very aromatic and expressive, belying any heaviness, overripeness or heat one might expect from this warm region in a warm season. Spiced cherry, blood orange, tobacco, cinnamon and leather layer atop a tense, slightly edgy mineral core that keeps this abundantly fresh. Surprisingly, it is light on its feet, especially considering the inclusion of 5% Petite Sirah in the blend (mainly perceptible in the wine’s purplish hue), and it goes down easily. Drink it any time over the next six to eight years.

Blended with 5% Petite Sirah, the 2022 Zinfandel Paso Robles is one of the sweeter fruited, exotic Zinfandels in the lineup. Candied strawberries, red plums, cigar, herbes de Provence, and sandalwood all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a terrific core of sweet fruit, supple tannins and outstanding length. I would drink bottles over the coming 5-7 years.

Full bottle 1,216 g. Fruit from Benito Dusi Ranch. 95% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah. From the wonderfully detailed label, 'Bottled 12/23. These old Zinfandel vines on the Benito Dusi Ranch were planted in the 1920s. Despite a dry, warm growing season, a healthy crop was at optimal ripeness for a late August harvest just ahead of the record heat wave. Fifteen months in oak ... ingredients: hand-harvested grapes; indigenous yeasts; naturally occurring malolactic bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective SO 2 .' Medium verging on deep purple in colour. In Ridge's 2022 line-up, this is what I would consider to be the most 'typical' Zinfandel – intense bramble and spice, rich, jammy black and red plum, with a glycerine texture and weight on the palate and fresh vibrant acid. Creamy black tea to finish. Lovely. (SCJ)