Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Ridge – Grenache Blanc 2024
Paso Robles – California, USA 🇺🇸
Blend: 85% Grenache Blanc, 12% Picpoul, 3% Roussanne
Vineyard Sources: 47% Fossil Creek, 39% Adelaida, 14% Halter Ranch

Overview
This compelling white is fully Rhône-inspired, sourced from three top vineyards in Paso Robles. Whole-cluster pressed and aged eight months in neutral oak barrels, it reflects Ridge’s philosophy of estate-level precision and minimal intervention. (Educational note: Grenache Blanc is a Rhône variety that thrives in California’s Central Coast, often blended with Picpoul and Roussanne for acidity and texture.)

Aromas & Flavors
Citrus blossom, green apple, and stone fruit upfront, layered with subtle mineral tones and white flowers. A touch of tropical fruit and a saline edge lift the profile.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, crisp, and multi-layered. Firm acidity and subtle oak integration give freshness and structure. The wine balances vibrancy with texture, making it both approachable now and ageworthy for 5+ years.

Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled fish, shellfish, and Mediterranean cuisine. Also versatile with roasted chicken, vegetable-based pasta, or goat cheese.

Verdict
One of Ridge’s most interesting whites — Rhône-inspired yet distinctly Californian. The 2024 Grenache Blanc is layered, vibrant, and expressive, showing Paso Robles’ potential for serious whites. 🍷

Did You Know?
Ridge first produced Grenache Blanc in 2018, inspired by Rhône varieties thriving in Paso Robles’ limestone soils. By blending with Picpoul and Roussanne, they achieve balance of fruit, acidity, and texture.

Hidden Gem 💎
Though Ridge is world-renowned for Monte Bello and iconic reds, this Grenache Blanc proves they can craft whites with equal brilliance — a rare and exciting side of their portfolio. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Light lemon gold colour . Bruised apple , quince , with a waxy and sea breeze character. On the palate quite high acidity with yellow stone fruit, nice intensity , saline , mineral notes. Good length , and refreshing mineral finish . This will probably age ok , good now and over the next 5-8 years . — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Modestly fragrant, with ripe dark cherry (both fresh and dried), along with some tilled soil and almond notes. A little richer in the mouth than most regular Valpos, and has some tannin even! Not complex, but went really well with our pasta dish tonight. (Thanks to my bro for this one.)

NIGHT 2 UPDATE: nose has opened up, palate has softened considerably and now is very minerally, almost saline, on the finish. Very nice development. Upping score from 8.9 to 9.0. — 8 years ago

Tom Garland

9.5

1 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark medium garnet with little bricking. On the nose: expressive perfumed nose with dark plum/cherry, currants,milk chocolate, baking spice, floral, wet forest floor, touch of roasted meat. Taste: silky, balanced, elegant wine that is singing at 20 years with dried red fruit, earth, chocolate, cedar, minerals, saline, and a spiced-tobacco-green bell pepper long finish. YUM! — 8 months ago

with Brenda

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2021 Soave Classico Monte Carbonare is decidedly savory, displaying notes of crushed rocks and dried flowers that give way to white peach and hints of gingery spice. It sweeps across the palate with a silky, textural wave of liquid florals and ripe pit-fruits, riding along a core of vibrant acidity. Notions of candied lime and saline minerals linger through the long and youthfully tense finale as the 2021 leaves a confectionary air of spice. (Eric Guido, Vinous, February 2024)
— 2 years ago

Brian S

9.0

Green apples, green pear, lemon and saline. — 7 years ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.0

Medium gold in color; peach, honeydew, and orange blossom on the nose; high acidity; tastes like tangerines, saline, and lemon with a long finish. Nellie and I like it. — 8 months ago

with Nellie

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.0

The 2023 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Ruviano is savory in style, offering crushed rocks, wild herbs and ripe yellow apples. Silky-smooth yet full of zesty tension, this cascades across the palate with tart orchard fruits and sour citrus tones. The 2023 finishes long and saline. $15.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2024) — a year ago

ESF

9.0

impressive Garganega here, sort of Reserve style Soave leaning towards Turbiano - bit of age fattened up nicely just oozing minerals, saline, shells, crunchy rocks alongside ripe citrus. Tangy juicy acidity, strong backbone, this was rich & deep. $36 retail is a bit steep - glad I caught this on closeout. — 3 years ago

Meghan Sullivan

9.0

Citrus. Saline. Love it. — 8 years ago