2015 Ridge Zinfandel Lytton Springs
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Tasting notes
74% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignane, 2% Mataro (Mourvèdre). This was described as one of the eye-opening vintages in terms of climate change. It was picked in the first half of August for the first time! Translucent ruby. Pale rim. Heady, complex and, rather like the 1997, a bit claret-like, but in this case like a young claret. Lifted and lively. Just a suggestion of heat but overall it’s so sophisticated! The tannins are definitely still present so this wine needs food. It’s spicy and herby at the same time with a clean, dry but not long finish. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A blend of 74% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignan and 2% Mataro. Medium to dark ruby. Smells of roasted figs, blackberry and cherry, with just a hint of peach. Powdery tannins wrap around a juicy core of roasted fig, blackberry, liquorice root and dried-herb flavours as the tannins stiffen and slightly dry the mouth. Excellent acidity keeps things fresh as road dust, dried herbs and liquorice root linger in the finish with a hint of potpourri. (AY)
Checking in as 74% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignan and the rest Mataro (Mourvèdre), all from the Dry Creek Valley, the 2015 Zinfandel Lytton Springs has a deep purple color as well as a sensational perfume of black cherries, blackberries, ground herbs, leather, and earth. More reserved and elegant than the Pagani Ranch, yet beautifully concentrated, seamless, and perfectly balanced, it opens up nicely with time in the glass, has sweet tannin, and a great finish. It’s a complete wine that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink well for over a decade.
A wine that always delivers (and ages beautifully), the 2015 Lytton Springs checks in as a blend of 74% Zinfandel,16% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignan, and 2% Mourvèdre, all from the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma. It offers tons of black raspberries, blueberries, brambly spice, leather and dried herb aromatics, full-bodied richness, no hard edges and a gorgeous, mouth filling texture. It's not the most concentrated vintage of this cuvee, yet it excels on its finesse, approachability and sheer charm. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. Ridge continues to produce a stacked lineup from their estate vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains, as well as numerous sites in Sonoma County. These reviews focus mostly on their 2015s, which was the earliest harvest on record for Ridge. Nevertheless, the wines show terrific purity and elegance, and it’s a rock-solid vintage for the estate. The Bordeaux blends are from the 2014 vintage, which was another hot, dry year. These are big, ripe, sexy releases that have the fruit and depth to drink nicely today, yet are going to age beautifully.
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.