Ridge - Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley 2023 (750ml)
Price: $56.99
| Producer | Ridge |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Subregion | Sonoma |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Sku | 8263 |
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Nose of raspberry, pepper, licorice and a hint of vanilla. Black cherry and plum on the palate with supple tannins, minerality and present acidity. Long, layered finish with notes of garrigue and black tea.
76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro
Ridge Description
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.
Jeb Dunnuck: 98 Points
Blending 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro from an estate vineyard in Dry Creek Valley purchased in 1972, the 2023 Zinfandel Lytton Springs exhibits initial chewiness that leads to fine tannins, with a good heft and underlying acidity. Well-woven oak supports a moderately ripe, medium-bodied frame of structured elegance, aged in 100% air-dried American oak.
Decanter: 96 Points
A much cooler growing season delayed the start of harvest by about a month, resulting in a wine with greater restraint than the previous vintage. The 2023 is a more elegant take on this wine, with less fruit intensity, but still unmistakably Ridge. Fresh aromas of herbs from a bouquet garni mix with earthy tones and subtle sweet notes from baking spices. The fruit profile oscillates between ripe red and black berries, with a touch of plums and ripe cherries. Tannins are firm yet polished, and there's a soft creaminess to the palate. A wine that is balanced and quite enjoyable now, with many years to evolve in the bottle.
Wine Spectator: 95 Points
#3 Top 100 Wines of 2025
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.
Dry Creek Valley is the epicenter of California Zinfandel, and few vineyards express that like Lytton Springs. It was first planted in 1901, and Ridge’s first bottling was in 1972. The soil in the flatlands is gravelly loam full of rocks, boasting the oldest vines, while the hill has more clay. The 2023 bottling is more than three-quarters Zinfandel, with Petite Sirah and Carignane contributing a zesty, spicy character to the blend. Lytton Springs winemaker Shauna Rosenblum, daughter of Zin legend Kent Rosenblum, aged the wine for 16 months in American oak barrels, 19 percent of which are new.
James Suckling: 95 Points
A lovely release with lots of freshness from a cooler vintage. Bright and perfumed aromas of red cherries, raspberry coulis, confit plums, licorice and spice. The palate is full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and vibrant, crunchy acidity. Made from 76% zinfandel, 14% petite sirah, 7% carignan, 2% alicante bouschet and 1% mataro. Drink or hold.
Vinous: 95 Points
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.
Wine Advocate: 94 Points
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.
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