RidgeLyttonSpringsZinfandel2023

The Ridge we know today started very modestly in 1962 at the Monte Bello vineyard, by 1966 Geyserville Zinfandel was being made, pushing production by 1968 to 1000 cases. In 1969 Paul Draper, fresh from winemaking in Chile, joined the partnership. Cabernet and Zinfandel are most of the production with Syrah, Grenache, Carignane, and Petite Sirah making a small percentage and a little Chardonnay. As of harvest 2022, 100% of Ridge’s estate vineyards have been certified organic, including Monte Bello, Lytton Springs, Geyserville, and East Bench.rrPaul Draper first saw the Lytton Springs vineyard in 1972 and, based on its age (then already 80 years old), purchased grapes and produced Ridge’s first Lytton Springs bottling that year. In 1991, on the 20th anniversary of the first vintage, Ridge Vineyards purchased the Lytton Springs winery and the old vines surrounding it, making it a true estate vineyard totalling some 200 acres spread across different topography. Today the Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley are two of the most sort after locations for top quality red from Sonoma County.rrWeather in 2023 A cold, rainy winter and a cool summer pushed the growing season back, slowing ripening. Harvest began on September 23 and finished on October 24. The twenty-eight parcels that produced the most typical Lytton Springs were combined and racked to barrel. Fine tannins, moderate ripeness and focused fruit are hallmarks of the vintage. This elegant wine is enjoyable now, and has the structure to evolve over the next ten years.rrBarrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 15% one year-old, 20% two year-old, 20% three year-old, 15% four year-old and 15% five year-old).rrFermentation: Full crush; 100% Natural primary and secondary; pressed at eleven days.rrTechnical Information: rVineyard: Lytton SpringsrGrape: 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% MatarorAppelation: Dry Creek ValleyrAlcohol: 14.4 %rTA: 5.57 g/LrpH: 3.77rrTasting Note: Deeply structured and full of tension, this polished red displays a distinctive personality, offering bold blackberry flavors accented with savory anise, black pepper and dark Asian spices. Ends with big but refined tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro. â€?Tasted by Tim Fish