Not a fruit bomb yet a balanced and powerful zin. Dark fruit punches hard on this wine as does spice, oak, and leather. This is complex and deep for a zin that could go many more years.
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Crimson in color. 15.1% ABV. 100% Zinfandel. Sublime nose of red and black fruits, anise and pepper. Full bodied with mouth watering acidity. Rich, dark, earthy fruits in spades. Black cherry, black raspberry, toffee and pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Always one of my favorites Zins in the Ridge portfolio. This will age well. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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Shared this with my wine group at an Indian restaurant. Opened, but not decanted for about 45 minutes before pouring. This was the group favorite, as it went well with the food and worked on its on as well.
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Normally I would have aged this longer but as I have been disappointed with the last couple vintages I figured I’d pull the plug on one. This drank spot on immediately. Pleasant dark fruit with a hint of jam. Drinks great at this young stage.
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I’m down to my last two bottles of the 2019 Dusi. Just keeps getting better. Beautiful garnet color, blueberries and cherry on the nose with a hint of bramble. Soft, round, and tannins have mellowed greatly, and lingers ever so lightly. It’s a lovely wine, and one of my favorite Zins from Ridge.
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Wife opens it at dinner around 6pm when I'm still driving back from harvest - says she hates it and puts it on counter, open. When I get back at 11pm, I pour a glass for myself. I like it, but can certainly feel the grippy, almost bitter tannins, still. Stuck it in fridge to have it the day after with dinner. But all day I had been thinking about the wine and was really looking forward to it that night, so that's a good sign. And a day later, it really sings. A nice, full-on Zin, not big or lumbering, just intense and won't let you ignore it. Great stuff.
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Deep dark garnet in color; almost opaque. Full, forward, & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of briary & earthy notes, spices, dried herbs, cocoa, minerals & a hint of vanilla in the background. Full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced, & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & blueberries with spices, herbs, minerals & dark cocoa. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & extended airing but has the fruit & structure to continue development with further aging.
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Great Paso Zin, the same fruit as J Dusi as far as I know but completely different barrel program I like the J Dusi better but this one is a little softer with less barrel notes.
Retail $36. 100% Zinfandel. It appears as though there are two different wines in the Ridge portfolio: the Ridge Benito Dusi Zinfandel and the Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel Benito Dusi Ranch. And I have no further information. Zero. But there certainly appears to be two. Well, this is decidedly the latter. Quite dark in color but rather light in heft and approach, this is precisely in my Zinfandel wheelhouse: great fruit, fantastic acidity, lovely spice, and incredible depth and length. OK. Whoa.
Opened for 1.5 hours. Nice bright garnet/ruby. On the nose: blackberries, plums, baking spices and tart mixed berries. On the palate: Blackberries, plums, baking spices and some vanilla. Finish is a bit short and mouthfeel a bit thin. Good but I thought it would be better.
Opened for 2 hours. Color is deep ruby. On the nose: Cassis, blackberries, vanilla and plum. On the palate: BlackBerry liqueur, cassis and cola. The initial flavors are very intense and enjoyable. Finish is ok. Mouthfeel is Lucious. This wine just says drink me. It’s easy pleasure. Very good effort.
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My daughter called it -- maple bacon on the nose. This one was a real crowd pleaser. Rich fruit, but with a lighter profile. Plenty of pepper on the finish. A drinkable delight.
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Decided to pop open the other bottle of this from the ATP shipment. This one showed worse than our first bottle. Simple nose, lean, lightly-extracted, with a pure Zin profile.
Nothing is wrong or flawed with this wine. It's just not our style nor does it justify the price tag.
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Hints of American oak on the nose. Light enough it should integrate fairly quickly. Nice darker Zinberry nose with sort of rocky complexity. Touch smoky. The palate is much more lean bodied than you would expect. Not a lot of extraction here at all. Nicely balanced in terms of fruit and acidity. That 15.1% is nicely in check. Again Ridge with the deft touch there though it does start warming up as the wine does of course. Given the vintage and locale I was expecting something much bigger. Especially in reference to the 2015 version of this wine. But somehow they were more restrained and still ended up with a good wine. Classic, pure Zin. Not enough density or structure for lengthy cellar rest.
As much as I have loved past Ridge zins from Paso, the Benito Dusi zin was a little bit of a letdown. While the nose shows some enticing elements of black cherry, red currants and new leather, the palate feels disjointed and lacks the bold, plush mouthfeel delivered by the “Paso Robles” Ridge bottling. The 15.1% alcohol somewhat covers up what would otherwise be a nice fruit profile. Still an enjoyable wine but might need more time in bottle.
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Dark to opaque ruby-purple. Nose of cedar, dark cherries, plums, umami, a lot of sweet baking spices, and a hint of that Ridge herbaceous. Medium bodied with medium acid. Lighter on the primary palate than I was expecting. Classic bramble, plum, cherry Zin profile. Round and smooth tannins. Medium long finish that is herbal dominated.
4/3/2024 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Not a fruit bomb yet a balanced and powerful zin. Dark fruit punches hard on this wine as does spice, oak, and leather. This is complex and deep for a zin that could go many more years.
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12/28/2023 - tomlee wrote: 93 Points
Crimson in color. 15.1% ABV. 100% Zinfandel. Sublime nose of red and black fruits, anise and pepper. Full bodied with mouth watering acidity. Rich, dark, earthy fruits in spades. Black cherry, black raspberry, toffee and pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Always one of my favorites Zins in the Ridge portfolio. This will age well. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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12/13/2023 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 92 Points
Shared this with my wine group at an Indian restaurant. Opened, but not decanted for about 45 minutes before pouring. This was the group favorite, as it went well with the food and worked on its on as well.
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11/16/2023 - moxielady wrote: 90 Points
Fruity and spicy, bright cherry w short finish, a bit more structire first night than the second (after vacuvin)
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10/24/2023 - rbfleming Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bright fruits. Sparkling red color. Nice balance. This is terrific.
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8/12/2023 - PierreBrusso Likes this wine: 92 Points
rich medium body zin
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7/31/2023 - wchrisw Likes this wine:
Normally I would have aged this longer but as I have been disappointed with the last couple vintages I figured I’d pull the plug on one. This drank spot on immediately. Pleasant dark fruit with a hint of jam. Drinks great at this young stage.
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6/22/2023 - FoMoCo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice - just the right level of jam and acidity. Perhaps a bit young; will look for more.
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4/12/2023 - WineQ Likes this wine: 93 Points
I’m down to my last two bottles of the 2019 Dusi. Just keeps getting better. Beautiful garnet color, blueberries and cherry on the nose with a hint of bramble. Soft, round, and tannins have mellowed greatly, and lingers ever so lightly. It’s a lovely wine, and one of my favorite Zins from Ridge.
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11/27/2022 - TheBosWineGuy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Super easy drinking but still feels refined at the same time. Excellent value.
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8/31/2022 - S-F wrote: 93 Points
Wife opens it at dinner around 6pm when I'm still driving back from harvest - says she hates it and puts it on counter, open. When I get back at 11pm, I pour a glass for myself. I like it, but can certainly feel the grippy, almost bitter tannins, still. Stuck it in fridge to have it the day after with dinner. But all day I had been thinking about the wine and was really looking forward to it that night, so that's a good sign. And a day later, it really sings. A nice, full-on Zin, not big or lumbering, just intense and won't let you ignore it. Great stuff.
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7/21/2022 - ras2006 Likes this wine: 92 Points
medium/full bodied, nice fruit, smooth
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6/28/2022 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep dark garnet in color; almost opaque. Full, forward, & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of briary & earthy notes, spices, dried herbs, cocoa, minerals & a hint of vanilla in the background. Full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced, & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & blueberries with spices, herbs, minerals & dark cocoa. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & extended airing but has the fruit & structure to continue development with further aging.
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5/30/2022 - djrobsd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Great Paso Zin, the same fruit as J Dusi as far as I know but completely different barrel program I like the J Dusi better but this one is a little softer with less barrel notes.
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4/22/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 Points
Retail $36. 100% Zinfandel. It appears as though there are two different wines in the Ridge portfolio: the Ridge Benito Dusi Zinfandel and the Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel Benito Dusi Ranch. And I have no further information. Zero. But there certainly appears to be two. Well, this is decidedly the latter. Quite dark in color but rather light in heft and approach, this is precisely in my Zinfandel wheelhouse: great fruit, fantastic acidity, lovely spice, and incredible depth and length. OK. Whoa.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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4/20/2022 - Brian of Mull Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened for 1.5 hours. Nice bright garnet/ruby. On the nose: blackberries, plums, baking spices and tart mixed berries. On the palate: Blackberries, plums, baking spices and some vanilla. Finish is a bit short and mouthfeel a bit thin. Good but I thought it would be better.
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2/15/2022 - Brian of Mull Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened for 2 hours. Color is deep ruby. On the nose: Cassis, blackberries, vanilla and plum. On the palate: BlackBerry liqueur, cassis and cola. The initial flavors are very intense and enjoyable. Finish is ok. Mouthfeel is Lucious. This wine just says drink me. It’s easy pleasure. Very good effort.
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1/24/2022 - brasstab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Continues to marvel.
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1/17/2022 - cos65 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Ruby purple colored
Juicy blackberry fruit
This is so delicious, but seems a bit thin despite the 15.1%
So tasty
89+
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1/13/2022 - brasstab Likes this wine: 92 Points
My daughter called it -- maple bacon on the nose. This one was a real crowd pleaser. Rich fruit, but with a lighter profile. Plenty of pepper on the finish. A drinkable delight.
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12/26/2021 - ChateauShiny Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Decided to pop open the other bottle of this from the ATP shipment. This one showed worse than our first bottle. Simple nose, lean, lightly-extracted, with a pure Zin profile.
Nothing is wrong or flawed with this wine. It's just not our style nor does it justify the price tag.
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12/12/2021 - WetRock wrote:
Hints of American oak on the nose. Light enough it should integrate fairly quickly. Nice darker Zinberry nose with sort of rocky complexity. Touch smoky. The palate is much more lean bodied than you would expect. Not a lot of extraction here at all. Nicely balanced in terms of fruit and acidity. That 15.1% is nicely in check. Again Ridge with the deft touch there though it does start warming up as the wine does of course. Given the vintage and locale I was expecting something much bigger. Especially in reference to the 2015 version of this wine. But somehow they were more restrained and still ended up with a good wine. Classic, pure Zin. Not enough density or structure for lengthy cellar rest.
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11/25/2021 - Chied Likes this wine: 95 Points
Awesome with Thanksgiving dinner!
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11/21/2021 - ElJefeTX wrote: 87 Points
As much as I have loved past Ridge zins from Paso, the Benito Dusi zin was a little bit of a letdown. While the nose shows some enticing elements of black cherry, red currants and new leather, the palate feels disjointed and lacks the bold, plush mouthfeel delivered by the “Paso Robles” Ridge bottling. The 15.1% alcohol somewhat covers up what would otherwise be a nice fruit profile. Still an enjoyable wine but might need more time in bottle.
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11/20/2021 - ChateauShiny wrote: 89 Points
Dark to opaque ruby-purple. Nose of cedar, dark cherries, plums, umami, a lot of sweet baking spices, and a hint of that Ridge herbaceous. Medium bodied with medium acid. Lighter on the primary palate than I was expecting. Classic bramble, plum, cherry Zin profile. Round and smooth tannins. Medium long finish that is herbal dominated.
This is not exactly hitting things right for me.
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