Ridge takes Grenache Blanc and lets it speak in a slightly lower register than expected. The 2023 opens with bright citrus and orchard fruit—lemon peel, green apple, a touch of stone fruit—then drifts into something more savory, almost herbal, like a warm breeze moving through the vineyard in late afternoon. There’s a lovely tension here: zesty and refreshing up front, then gently rounded and lush through the middle, with a soft, velvety texture that keeps it grounded rather than sharp. It feels sun-kissed but not sunburned, shaped by Paso Robles warmth and Ridge’s steady, hands-off confidence. This is an easy wine to like and an interesting one to sit with. Pour it with grilled fish, vegetables kissed by flame, or whatever’s coming off the grill just as the sky starts to dim. Bright, relaxed, and quietly expressive—proof that Grenache Blanc knows how to handle the spotlight without overdoing it.
