This 2024 Gamba Zinfandel shows exactly why old-vine sites like Starr Road Ranch still matter. Planted in 1920, this Russian River Valley vineyard has survived Prohibition, changing tastes, and more than a century of California wine history. Its century-old vines, rooted deep in Sonoma County soils, produce fruit with real concentration, depth, and character that younger plantings rarely match. That longevity shapes the wine from the ground up. The old vines draw from soil layers far beyond the reach of modern plantings, naturally delivering complexity and structure. Gamba focuses on preserving the site’s balance and personality rather than chasing ripeness, letting Starr Road Ranch speak clearly in every glass. The favorable 2024 growing season allowed the fruit to ripen evenly while retaining the freshness that distinguishes Russian River Valley Zinfandel. Gus Gamba’s long-standing commitment to old-vine Zinfandel shines through here, and our panel considered this one of his standout efforts in recent memory.