Ravenswood 2023 Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel Sonoma County 750ml

Ravenswood is genuinely one of the most storied names in California Zinfandel, and this bottle marks a real event: the brand's return after a five-year hiatus, with founding winemaker Joel Peterson — hailed for decades as "the Godfather of Zinfandel" — personally consulting on the relaunch under current owner E. & J. Gallo. The 2023 vintage represents a modest, deliberately careful comeback: just 3,400 total cases across four Sonoma County Zinfandels, with this single-vineyard Monte Rosso bottling produced in a genuinely limited run of only about 500 cases — a striking departure from Ravenswood's heyday, when the winery once produced nearly a million cases annually.

Monte Rosso Vineyard is itself one of California's true legendary sites — first planted in 1886 by Emmanuel Goldstein, later acquired by Napa Valley pioneer Louis M. Martini in 1938. Perched on a southwest-facing slope of Moon Mountain, the vineyard's iron-rich red volcanic soils and 1,300-foot elevation combine for a genuinely distinctive growing environment. Joel Peterson's own connection to this specific site runs deep — he personally negotiated with Louis P. Martini in the early 1990s to purchase Zinfandel fruit from the property, a relationship that now continues directly into this revival bottling. As Peterson explained the broader philosophy behind the relaunch: "if you can take a single vineyard and capture the personality of that vineyard, but also have it clearly reflect the American Viticultural Area that it sits in, you've got everything lined up beautifully."

Wine Enthusiast's blind tasting awarded 94 Points, describing "focused aromas of blackberry, plum and black pepper on the nose" for this "intense, high altitude old vine Zin," with "the palate" showing "balance between gripping tannin, plush acidity and flavors of fresh cherry, licorice, irony minerality and zesty orange that explode along the finish." James Suckling's own tasting called it "a serious, smooth and full-bodied red from a historic vineyard planted in the 19th century," a "high-octane, ripe and ultra-fruity red that's moderately tannic and backed by good acidity for a lively feel that counters its lush jammy quality." Ken's Wine Guide found "a red raspberry and red plum bouquet with hints of violet, tobacco, oak, and wet clay," the palate "medium plus bodied," "balanced, round, smooth, and graceful for a Zin," with "red plum and graphite" alongside "red raspberry and mushroom," plus "hints of cedar, milk chocolate, and bay leaf," recommending it paired with "filet mignon or with a flourless chocolate cake." This is genuinely a celebrated icon's return to form — old-vine California Zinfandel from one of the state's most historically significant sites.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Ravenswood was relaunched in 2023 by owner E. & J. Gallo after a five-year hiatus, with founding winemaker Joel Peterson consulting closely on the revival. The 2023 debut included a Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel alongside three single-vineyard bottlings — Monte Rosso, Teldeschi, and MacMurray Ranch — with total production kept deliberately modest at roughly 3,400 cases, and this Monte Rosso bottling limited to approximately 500 cases.

Monte Rosso Vineyard, located on Moon Mountain in Sonoma County, was first planted in 1886 by Emmanuel Goldstein and later acquired by Napa Valley pioneer Louis M. Martini in 1938. The vineyard sits at 1,300 feet elevation on a southwest-facing slope, with iron-rich red volcanic soils. Joel Peterson personally negotiated the purchase of Zinfandel fruit from this site with Louis P. Martini in the early 1990s, a relationship that continues into this revival release. A small proportion of Petite Sirah was added to the blend to enhance dark fruit character.

Critics Reviews

Wine Enthusiast — 94 Points:
"This intense, high altitude old vine Zin shows focused aromas of blackberry, plum and black pepper on the nose. The palate shows balance between gripping tannin, plush acidity and flavors of fresh cherry, licorice, irony minerality and zesty orange that explode along the finish."

James Suckling:
"A serious, smooth and full-bodied red from a historic vineyard planted in the 19th century. It's a high-octane, ripe and ultra-fruity red that's moderately tannic and backed by good acidity for a lively feel that counters its lush jammy quality. Drink now or hold."

Ken's Wine Guide (extended independent review):
"This clear and medium ruby colored Zinfandel from Ravenswood opens with a red raspberry and red plum bouquet with hints of violet, tobacco, oak, and wet clay. On the palate, this wine is medium plus bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, smooth, and graceful for a Zin. The flavor profile is a red plum and graphite blend with notes of red raspberry and mushroom. We also detected hints of cedar, milk chocolate, and bay leaf. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity, and its well-managed fine tannins fade away nicely."

Ravenswood Winery (official winemaker's note):
"This Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel showcases the composed maturity, hallmark elegance, and classic structure of this iconic site."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Focused blackberry, plum, and black pepper lead, joined by red raspberry, violet, tobacco, oak, and wet clay.

Palate
Intense and structured, with gripping tannin and plush acidity balancing fresh cherry, licorice, and irony minerality. Red plum and graphite carry further complexity, alongside mushroom, cedar, and milk chocolate.

Finish
Zesty orange explodes along the close, dry and well-managed, with fine tannins fading gracefully — a genuinely elegant, classically structured finish from this iconic site.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Filet mignon or grilled red meat
• Flourless chocolate cake
• Aged hard cheeses
• Rich, savory braises