Ridge Lytton Springs bottle shot
96
Red SelectionOctober 2023

Ridge Lytton Springs

Tasted October 2023 · Wineros Tasting Panel · Methodology

Zinfandel Blend$55

"A masterclass in complexity, this Zinfandel-led blend from Dry Creek Valley offers explosive notes of black cherry, crushed pepper, and sandalwood. With structural integrity that suggests it could age for a decade, it remains approachable now with silky tannins and a vibrant, long-lasting finish. Perfect for cool evenings by the hearth."

Terroir

Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California

Drinking Window

2023 - 2032

Serving Temp

60-65°F (15-18°C)

Aging Potential

Excellent

Food Pairings

Slow-cooked short ribsGrilled Portobello mushroomsAged Cheddar
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THE FULL TASTING NOTE

Nose

Lifted black cherry and bramble fruit over crushed black pepper, sandalwood, and a dusty, old-vine earthiness that announces Dry Creek Valley before the first sip.

Palate

Full-bodied but energetic — ripe blackberry and plum ride firm, silky tannins, with the Petite Sirah in the blend adding grip and dark spice through the mid-palate.

Finish

Long and savory, closing on cracked pepper, cedar, and a mineral edge that keeps you reaching for the glass rather than the water.

What we love

  • Old-vine complexity that most Zinfandels at twice the price can't match
  • Structured enough to cellar a decade, open enough to drink tonight
  • A savory, peppery style that pairs with food instead of shouting over it

What to know

  • Needs a good hour in a decanter when young — poured cold and closed, it reads as austere
  • If you love plush, jammy Zinfandel, this leans drier and more savory than you may expect

How it compares

Ridge Lytton Springsthis page96 pts$55Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California
The Prisoner Red Blend91 pts$38California

Against The Prisoner — the other Zinfandel-led blend in our cellar — the Ridge is the structured, savory counterpoint to that wine's plush sweetness: less immediate flash, far more detail with food and time. Read that review →

Convinced?
Ridge Lytton Springs
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Complete the Experience

Recommended gear for this bottle

Riedel Ultra Decanter
Service

Riedel Ultra Decanter

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Electric Wine Aerator & Decanter Pump
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Electric Wine Aerator & Decanter Pump

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Coravin Timeless Three Plus Wine Preservation System- Black
Tools

Coravin Timeless Three Plus Wine Preservation System- Black

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Understand This Bottle

The background reading behind this review

The StyleFull-Bodied Red→

Featured In

This bottle appears in our buying guides

Best Red Wine Under $60→Best Wines to Pair with Steak→Best Wines to Pair with Mushrooms→

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Ridge Lytton Springs

96 pts • Zinfandel Blend

Buy — $55