2021 Ridge Lytton Springs Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,306 g. 72% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Cinsaut (sic), 1% Counoise. A total of 38 parcels were picked from 1 September to 5 October and spontaneously fermented separately. Out of these 34 were selected for this blend which went through malo naturally. Some of the vines were planted in 1901 and the Counoise vines were 80 years old. 'Enjoyable now but expected to develop over the next 10 years of so', apparently, when the note was written in November 2022. Dark garnet – much darker than Geyserville 2021. Extremely sophisticated and complex on the nose already! Quite a contrast to the Geyserville. Lots of ripe, slightly dusty, well-integrated fruit hits the front palate and then the wine builds towards the rich finish. You could enjoy this now but it might be a bit of a shame – not least in view of how well the 2009 shows today. Definitely a wine for the table. (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
A blend of 72% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Cinsault and 1% Counoise. Medium to dark garnet. Smells of cherry, plum and unripe blackberries. Fantastically juicy flavours of pluot, blackberry, sour cherry and hibiscus mix with dried herbs and dried flowers. Powdery tannins coat the mouth like chalk dust and stiffen slightly over time. Notes of dried and fresh herbs mix with liquorice root in the finish. Beautifully textured and seamless, with fantastic acidity that makes for a wonderfully mouth-watering package. Outstanding, and doubtless will continue to be for at least 2 decades. (AY)
The 2021 Lytton Springs is based on 72% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, and the rest Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Cinsault, and Counoise. This deep ruby/purple-hued effort has a juicy, lively, medium-bodied style as well as both red and blue fruits, some peppery, herbal, spicy nuances, lots of floral character, and ripe, polished tannins. It shines for its fresher, focused, elegant profile, and its purity of fruit is top-notch. It will evolve for 10-12 years.
72% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Cinsault and 1% Counoise. Red-berry fruit, dark chocolate and spiciness. Fragrant and lifted but with serious structure that makes the best of all the varieties. Certainly has potential to age well. (RH)
About the producer
Best known for its iconic Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards makes some of California’s finest wines – particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Long a pioneer of sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, Ridge makes an extensive range from Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains.