More than a decade ago I was a member of Ridge Vineyards ATP wine club program. The program focuses on limited quantity, very geeky and generally restrained wines that are often made from unusual varietals. I still have some of these beautiful wines in my personal collection and am always impressed how well they show when I feel the urge to open a bottle.
Back in January 2022 Ridge made some big waves when they hired Tres Goetting, the esteemed former winemaker at Robert Biale. For more than a decade I have admired these wines and how he has crafted an incredible range of Zins. Tres quite simply. has an incredible hand on Zinfandel and I am very excited to see how he evolves the program at Ridge. Tres will be working in collaboration with Head Winemaker & COO John Olney, Goetting will take over all winemaking duties at Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello winery that first made Zinfandel back in 1962.
The new wines for their ATP program are incredible. I adored the 2019 Ridge Vineyards Syrah Grenache Mataro (OB, 94) which has massive aging potential and is remarkably juicy and complex. Having tried several older vintages of this wine, I have little doubt this beauty will cellar well for another ten to fifteen years. Another excellent new release is the stunning 2019 Ridge Vineyards ‘San Lorenzo’ Zinfandel (OB, 94) which is dense and chewy with wonderful elegance and a deep core of dark fruits. Learn more about this famed estate at ridgevineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new ATP wines by Ridge Vineyards.
2020 Ridge Vineyards ‘Halter Ranch’ Grenache Blanc- The 2020 ‘Halter Ranch’ Grenache Blanc has a high portion of Picpoul (20%) blended in. Sourced from this site in Paso Robles, and weighing in at only 12.9% alcohol, this unveils ripe cantaloupe with vanilla cream and minerals on the palate, with flinty undercurrents. This is gorgeous stuff for a hot summer day. Drink 2022-2027- 92
2019 Ridge Vineyards Syrah Grenache Mataro- This wine combines nearly all Syrah (86%) with small parts Grenache and Mataro that all come from the Lytton Estate Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley. The nose is almost pure Sonoma Syrah with bacon fat, violets and a dusting of white pepper, with Earl Grey accents. The palate shows incredible poise and texture with medium-bodied red and dark fruits that combine with black licorice, tar and shades of creme de violette. The levels of mouth-watering acidity make this really difficult to put down. Complex and highly novel, if enjoying in its youth be sure to give this at least an hour in the decanter. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2020 Ridge Vineyard ‘Buchignani Ranch’ Carignane- Sourced from old vine Carignane vines that are over seventy five years of age, this novel bottling weighs in at only 13.6% alcohol. Bay leaf and red currant cordial mark the nose alongside tilled soils and smoky undercurrents. The palate shows a strong degree of astringency and acidity, with firm tannins holding in place a deep core of red fruits and menthol flavors. Enjoy this beautiful wine after a one to two hour decant. Drink 2023-2035- 93
2020 Ridge Vineyards ‘Blasi’ Zinfandel- Sourced from this vineyard in the Chalk Hill appellation of Sonoma County, this reveals bramble notes with bright Bing cherry, summer sausage and wintergreen tones on the nose. The texture imparted is insanely good as rich red fruit flavors collide with minerals, dusty soils and the seamless texture. Drink 2022-2035- 93
2019 Ridge Vineyards ‘San Lorenzo’ Zinfandel- The outstanding 2019 Ridge Vineyards ‘San Lorenzo’ Zinfandel is crafted from extremely old vines which were first planted in 1892. The wine is a unique blend of 65% Zinfandel, 26% Petite Syrah and the remainder Alicante Bouchet. The wine comes off very silky and elegant, with refined tannins that frame a rich core of boysenberry preserves, black currants, black licorice and pipe tobacco. Exceedingly good even to consume now at the three year mark, this surely has another fifteen years in front of it. If enjoying now be sure to give this an hour in the decanter. Drink 2022-2037- 94
2019 Ridge Vineyards ‘Boatman’ Zinfandel- The 2019 ‘Boatman’ Zinfandel is a sensational new effort that is nearly 100% varietal with just a splash of Petite Sirah added. Red plum, cigar ash and blood orange zest all mark the nose. The palate is silky and elegant, with refined tannins framing everything brilliantly. Ripe red and black fruits combine with bergamot, cardamom and tobacco leaf on the palate. This is utterly sensational, well-balanced Zinfandel that has both the stuffing and acidity to cellar for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2037- 95