John Malcolm

10

Spectacular, full-bodied, and intense, yet silky smooth. Drinking well now, but plenty of time left. Dark chocolate, dark cherries, cassis, oregano and other herbs. Decanted for about four hours. — 2 days ago

Joe DAscoli

9.3

Started off very juicy and oaky but resolved itself and showed more depth as it had airtime. Solid but not amazing — 21 days ago

Joe DAscoli

9.2

Juicy and with a touch of sweetness. This was very pleasant and paired well with cheese. — 16 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2022 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 30 minutes. Medium/medium-heavy body. Ripe nose. This was supple and giving from the get-go. Nice mineral subtleties beneath the richness currently. Thank you @Neil Valenzuela 12.10.25. — 5 days ago

with Neil

Paul J

9.4

1hr+ decant. Dark purple color. Medicinal nose with some dirt, baking spices, and eucalyptus. Same on the palate with nice texture and solid tannins. Medium depth and finish. Vibrant wine. — 23 days ago

with Brooke

Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Ridge Vineyards – Zinfandel – 2023
Benito Dusi Ranch – Paso Robles – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An extraordinary single-vineyard Zinfandel from one of the most historic and consistent sites in Paso Robles. The 2023 vintage delivers depth, purity, and that unmistakable Dusi Ranch character—old-vine concentration wrapped in Ridge’s signature balance and finesse. This bottling remains one of the benchmark Zinfandels in California.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe plum, and raspberry preserve with accents of warm spice, licorice, dried herbs, and a touch of cracked pepper. Subtle cocoa and cedar from restrained oak play in the background.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity energizes the palate while fine, structured tannins keep everything focused. Long, plush, and satisfyingly powerful.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, grilled lamb chops, wood-fired pizza, smoky brisket, or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A stellar expression of old-vine Paso Robles Zinfandel, opulent, balanced, and deeply flavorful. A true standout in Ridge’s portfolio.

Did You Know?
The Dusi family has farmed this vineyard for generations, and Ridge has made wine from the site since 1967. These old vines consistently produce some of the most character-rich Zinfandel in the state, making Benito Dusi one of Ridge’s most iconic single-vineyard bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits at the very top of my favorite Zinfandels, extraordinary from start to finish, and a reminder of why Ridge continues to define the category. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Another amazing 23 Napa Cabernet. This one will reveal its best self in the mid game window of 15-30 yrs. When this gets scored, it has high potential for a 💯. — 4 days ago

Scot Walker

9.4

Mixed berries in the nose with dark fruit and black tea in the palate. Paired well with cheese and salami — 2 days ago

David Peifer

8.9

Very fruit forward. On the verge of port. — 8 days ago

Frank Soldano

9.2

Drinking the 2017 in 2025. Fruit forward bouquet with earthy hints on the finish. Thin legs that quickly dissipate. Light flavors with sweet ripe fruit notes and light tannins. Smooth finish. — 18 days ago