Ridge Geyserville, a zinfandel-based blend from Alexander Valley, is a classic among the winery’s stellar lineup of zins and zin blends. The wine has been produced since 1966, making it the Ridge zin with the longest continuous production.
The blend changes from vintage to vintage, with zinfandel accounting for the lion’s share. (The amount of zin usually falls below the threshold that would allow the wine to be labeled as zinfandel.) The 2024 is 71 percent zinfandel, with a generous amount of carignane and smaller portions of petite sirah and alicante bouschet.
The 2024 Geyserville, made from three adjoining vineyards, is ripe and plush, yet offers nice freshness and balance. The flavors lean toward blackberry, raspberry, mocha and baking spice, and there’s a persistent finish. At $56, the wine is on the pricier side. A more affordable alternative is the 2024 Three Valleys, another zin-based blend (67 percent zinfandel), which sells for $36 and can sometimes be found for less. It doesn’t have the weight and richness of the Geyserville, but its lively, brambly red berry flavors make it a pleasure to drink.
The best single wine I’ve had in the last couple of years was a 1974 Ridge Geyserville, splendidly still full of life with depth and rich and complex flavors. The alcohol was just 13.9% An absolutely beautiful wine that showed the skill, style and quality that marked the wines made by Paul Draper. Amazing bottle, wish I had more but the previous ones were enjoyed years ago.
This is always an excellent wine, and the Three Valleys is a good option.