Anybody who enjoys California Zinfandels surely knows the wines of Ridge. Their Pagani Ranch and Lytton Springs offerings typically earn some of the highest scores year-in and year out from the critics, not to mention their Monte Bello Cab-Blend that tends to earn 100 points! The 2021s and 2022s are some of the best Zins to come out of the state in over a decade, and when our buyer recently went through the Ridge lineup, he could not believe that history was repeating itself. As amazing as the 2021s were, the 2022s are just as spectacular!
In 1972, Ridge made its first Lytton Springs from vines planted on the eastern half of the vineyard; vines that were already three-quarters of a century old. The vineyard is planted mostly to Zinfandel, plantings of Petite Sirah, Carignane, and Mataro (Mourvedre) grow along with the Zinfandel. Some of these plantings are well over one hundred years old, and those vines produces small yields of intensely-flavored grapes!
Wine Spectator rated this at 95 points and calls it "polished" with "expressive flavors of blackberry". Antonio Galloni's Vinous Media rated this at 94 points, calls this "exuberant", and says "the clarity and precision here are commendable". Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated this at 94 points and mentions its "kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries".
Three noteworthy scores from three respectable publications. The last edition of Lytton Springs we had sold out rather quickly, and with these scores, this is sure to do the same!
WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - "Like a beast that's been tamed, this red is genteel and polished on the outside but dark and fervent deep down, with expressive flavors of blackberry, briar patch, savory anise and pepper. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2035."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 94 POINTS - "The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is a characterful edition of this classic cuvée, notable for its élevage in only American oak. Exuberant cherry/berry fruit and licorice meet with grilled herbs, tanned leather, vanilla and dill, all energized by juicy acidity. This is a large-scale wine that will certainly stand the test of time. The clarity and precision here are commendable, especially packaged in such a broad-shouldered frame. Fabulous."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 94 POINTS - "The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is composed of 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It opens with initial touches of glossy new American oak—dill and toasted coconut—and gives way to kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries, plus accents of hibiscus and potpourri. The full-bodied palate features generous, spicy flavors. It’s structured by abundant, powdery tannins and lively acidity and has a long, detailed finish. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says this 2022 was crafted using only American oak, a shift from the blend of French and American oak used in the past. It has resulted in a particularly pure, transparent expression that opens dramatically with air, and this 2022 Lytton Springs will benefit from several years in the cellar."
In 1972, Ridge made its first Lytton Springs from vines planted on the eastern half of the vineyard; vines that were already three-quarters of a century old. The vineyard is planted mostly to Zinfandel, plantings of Petite Sirah, Carignane, and Mataro (Mourvedre) grow along with the Zinfandel. Some of these plantings are well over one hundred years old, and those vines produces small yields of intensely-flavored grapes!
Wine Spectator rated this at 95 points and calls it "polished" with "expressive flavors of blackberry". Antonio Galloni's Vinous Media rated this at 94 points, calls this "exuberant", and says "the clarity and precision here are commendable". Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated this at 94 points and mentions its "kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries".
Three noteworthy scores from three respectable publications. The last edition of Lytton Springs we had sold out rather quickly, and with these scores, this is sure to do the same!
WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - "Like a beast that's been tamed, this red is genteel and polished on the outside but dark and fervent deep down, with expressive flavors of blackberry, briar patch, savory anise and pepper. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2035."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 94 POINTS - "The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is a characterful edition of this classic cuvée, notable for its élevage in only American oak. Exuberant cherry/berry fruit and licorice meet with grilled herbs, tanned leather, vanilla and dill, all energized by juicy acidity. This is a large-scale wine that will certainly stand the test of time. The clarity and precision here are commendable, especially packaged in such a broad-shouldered frame. Fabulous."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 94 POINTS - "The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is composed of 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It opens with initial touches of glossy new American oak—dill and toasted coconut—and gives way to kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries, plus accents of hibiscus and potpourri. The full-bodied palate features generous, spicy flavors. It’s structured by abundant, powdery tannins and lively acidity and has a long, detailed finish. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says this 2022 was crafted using only American oak, a shift from the blend of French and American oak used in the past. It has resulted in a particularly pure, transparent expression that opens dramatically with air, and this 2022 Lytton Springs will benefit from several years in the cellar."
