2023 Lytton Springs Zinfandel

The 2023 Lytton Springs is powerfully aromatic and expressive from the jump. It explodes from the glass with dark blue fruit, lavender and blood orange peel, framed by mocha-like richness and a wave of exotic spice. The texture is pure silk, wrapping the palate with seamless contours and lifted freshness courtesy of the cool growing season. A blend of 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro, the 2023 shows remarkable persistence and poise. If you know Lytton, you know these wines can age for decades—this one is clearly built for the long haul.

The 2023 Lytton Springs is a blend of 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro that matured for 16 months in 19% new air-dried American oak. It’s especially elegant and expressive this year, offering pure aromas of black cherry, blueberry, damp earth, sage, violet and cast iron. The full-bodied palate features concentrated, fragrant flavors. It’s framed by fine, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long finish replete with soaring floral perfume. It should be long lived in the cellar.

Full bottle 1,215 g. 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro. Full crush. Both primary and secondary (malolactic) fermentations are completed by ambient yeasts and bacteria. Aged 16 months in 100% air-dried American oak barrels (19% new; 3% one-year-old; 10% two-year-old, 10% three-year-old, 58% five-plus-year-old barrels). Minimum effective SO 2 for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 89 ppm over the course of ageing); pad-filtered at bottling. Certified organic. Medium purple with a fuchsia rim. Black and red cherries, blackberries, and strawberries – all ripe and slightly baked with cinnamon spice in a terracotta pot. Sweet and ripe on the palate with fresh acidity. Slight meaty savoury note to finish. The Pagani is a bit showier with more concentrated fruit but the savoury note on this is lovely. (SCJ)