Ridge 2024 "East Bench" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Tasting Notes

Unlike most California field blends, the East Bench bottling is highly distinctive as a 100% single-varietal Zinfandel. The grapes are estate-grown and organically farmed in iron-rich soils. Following Ridge's traditional, minimal-intervention approach, the wine undergoes natural primary and secondary (malolactic) fermentations using indigenous yeasts. It is then aged for 14 months in 100% air-dried American oak barrels (19% new), resulting in a pure expression of the Zinfandel grape.

On the nose, the 2024 vintage opens with vibrant aromas of bright strawberry, raspberry, and wild blueberry, woven together with floral tones, cracked black pepper, clove, vanilla, and a distinct briar-patch rustic edge. The palate is medium-to-full-bodied, hefty, and dense, offering concentrated plum and dark berry flavors laced with savory nuances of sage, chocolate, anise, and black olive. Supported by a whip-tight structure, mouth-coating tannins, and energetic acidity, it exhibits an impeccable balance of tension and richness that carries through into a long, supple, and slightly chewy finish.

The exceptional structure, peppery spice, and bright acidity of this Zinfandel make it an incredibly versatile companion at the dinner table. It pairs beautifully with a simply grilled New York strip steak or a seasoned tri-tip, where the charred exterior and juicy texture of the meat naturally soften the wine’s dense tannins while aligning with its savory spice notes. It is equally at home alongside rich, smoky comfort foods like barbecue pork ribs, lamb burgers, roasted pork, and spicy sausages. For a more unexpected or holiday-inspired pairing, its elegant fruit profile and subtle earthiness complement traditional Thanksgiving dinners, savory mushroom dishes, aged cheddar cheese, or even a spicy mala hot pot.

Critical Acclaim

94 Points from James Suckling

93 Points from Wine Spectator & Wine Enthusiast

Leading the praise, Owen Bargreen awarded the vintage 95 points, calling it an "outstanding" and "complex" wine highlighted by a refined mouthfeel, molten chocolate and briar notes, and an incredible sense of weight and tension. Jim Gordon of James Suckling followed closely with 94 points, describing it as a hefty, full-bodied, and beautifully fruity red boasting deep blackberry and blueberry aromas paired with a pleasantly chewy texture. Meanwhile, Tim Fish of Wine Spectator assigned a 93-point rating, celebrating its expressive, zesty profile of raspberry and plum layered with white pepper and a savory briar patch complexity. The vintage was further lauded by Vinous Media (93 points) for its whip-tight, highly structured frame, and by Wine Enthusiast (93 points + Hidden Gem), which spotlighted its vibrant, popping aromas of boysenberry and cracked pepper. Rounding out the critical consensus, renowned wine judges Wilfred Wong and the Zinfandel Chronicles both issued 92 points, cementing this 100% single-varietal bottling as a benchmark achievement for Dry Creek Valley.

750ml