Ridge Vineyards – Grenache Blanc blend – 2024
Fossil Creek / Adelaida / Halter Ranch Vineyards – Paso Robles – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A stunning, high-toned white Rhône blend of 47% Grenache Blanc, 12% Picpoul, 3% Roussanne from Ridge that delivers immediate “whoa” factor. Crisp, mineral, and beautifully textured, this release shows Ridge’s mastery beyond Monte Bello, proving they can craft Rhône whites that rival the best of the Rhône Valley itself.
Aromas & Flavors
Pear skin, white peach, citrus blossom, and salted stone. Subtle hints of fennel, honeydew, and crushed seashell align with a whisper of almond from neutral barrel aging.
Mouthfeel
Bright acidity with mountain-stream freshness, balanced by a gentle mid-palate creaminess from whole-cluster pressing and lees contact. Finishes long, clean, and slightly saline.
Food Pairings
Seared scallops, grilled prawns, Provençal chicken, halibut with lemon butter, or Mediterranean mezze.
Verdict
A beautifully balanced, quietly complex white Rhône-style blend that showcases Ridge at its most refreshing and precise. Astonishing quality, especially at this youthful stage.
Did You Know?
Ridge first experimented with Grenache Blanc only in 2018. The results were so impressive that they expanded sourcing to three top west-side Paso vineyards, Fossil Creek, Adelaida, and Halter Ranch, turning this bottling into one of California’s most compelling Rhône-white expressions.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Easily one of the most impressive domestic Grenache Blancs I’ve tasted, its freshness and mineral drive can stand toe-to-toe with elite Rhône whites. — a month ago
Pretty good after a few mins of air contact and paired with avocado — 8 months ago
Last had 4 years ago and was excited to check in - this didn’t disappoint. That perfect ridge mix of old world sensibility and composition with new world fruit and character. 13.8%. Finish is long with nice acid. Great pairing with steaks. Nice wine.
Happy New Year! — a day ago
Bought at Pine Orchard 11/25 $70 after tasting at Ridge in 10/25. Less expensive here. The 2023 is rated at 100 pts. Absolutely delicious. Floral aromas, lightly crisp, subtle oak, smooth finish. — 19 days ago
Browning garnet.
Forest floor, mushroom, black currant.
Vibrant palate with silky tannins.
Impressive 25 year old cab:) — 2 months ago
Excellent cab! Always great from Ridge, this one is full bodied, nicely aged (still has room to age more, but wonderful right now!, wish i had a couple more) — a month ago
History begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor in San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is 95% Zin with a splash of Petite Syrah. Dark Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, floral and spice! On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with peppery floral herb spice integrated with fine soft tannins, lively acidity. Medium+ finish ending with juicy fruit and spice. Nice! — 7 months ago
Ericsson
Yes—exactly that kind of wine: timeless, composed, and quietly authoritative.
It smells so good on first pour. Damp pine forest floor and clean mountain air register immediately. Everything else unravels from there; but that initial pop-and-pour sniff is pure magic.
On the palate, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs unfold with control, carried by freshness and finely etched tannins in a medium body.
So classic, so intellectual, and deeply mesmerizing. Drink now or age. — 7 days ago