What can we say about Ridge Vineyards that we haven't already said? This iconic California winery, with outposts in Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains, has captured our hearts and palates with its magnificent single vineyard cuvées that beautifully straddle the line between opulence and elegance. The excitement over the arrival of a wine from Ridge Vineyards is ALWAYS palpable here at Bin Ends!

Mancini Ranch in the Russian River Valley is comprised of 16 dry-farmed acres that Luca Mancini planted between 1922 and 1924. It is home to a host of interesting grape varieties that flourish here, thanks to the Russian River valley's cool climate and foggy mornings that allow grapes to ripen slowly and develop bright acidity.

The wine is a blend of 73% carignane and 27% zinfandel aged for 14 months in a combination of new (10%) and seasoned (90%) oak barrels. It has "stunning purple and garnet hues with aromas of black cherry, cassis, baking spices, cedar, root beer, and cinnamon toast. It has a lively entry on the palate with fresh red fruit, mouthwatering acidity, fine-grained tannins, and a long finish." (winemaker notes)

Check out the press!

95 points, Vinous:
"Ridge's 2021 Mancini Ranch, 73% carignane and 27% zinfandel, is a heady, explosive wine. Super-ripe red cherry fruit, rose petal, cedar, and a kick of sweet American oak all race across the palate. This juicy Russian River field blend hits all the right notes. (4/23)

95 points, Jeb Dunnuck:
"Based on 73% carignan and 27% zinfandel, the 2021 Mancini Ranch reveals a ruby/plum hue as well as a gorgeous nose of red and black plums, cigar wrapper, cedarwood, and candied strawberries. It's incredibly complex, medium to full-bodied, has a supple, elegant mouthfeel, and fine tannins. This is a brilliant example of carignan, and I'd put it up with the finest expressions of the variety I've tasted. I generally don't like how carignan ages (it tends to turn more rustic), but the level of purity and balance in this beauty makes me think it will easily evolve for 10-12 years, if not longer." (10/24/23)

95 points, Owen Bargreen:
"A blend of mostly carignane (73%) with the reminder zinfandel, the 2021 ‘Mancini Ranch’ was sourced from this site in the Russian River Valley which boasts 80-year-old vines. The old-vine Carignane is really singing now. Ripe cranberry fruit combines with blood orange zest, cardamom, espresso grounds, and copious minerals on the palate. Really refined and seamless throughout the drinking experience, this beauty will easily live on for another fifteen-plus years. Drink 2023-2038." (5/23/23)

ABV: 14.2%