Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2023, N3 Wine Spectator Top 2025
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2023 is the winery's classic single-vineyard Zinfandel, sourced from the renowned Lytton Springs Vineyard in Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley. The first vines date back to 1901 and 1910, and Ridge's first Lytton Springs was bottled in 1972. In 2025, this 2023 was ranked No. 3 in Wine Spectator's Top 100, consolidating its status as a benchmark among California's old-vine Zinfandels
Vinification
The grapes, organically grown and 100% estate-grown, are hand-harvested, destemmed and pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts and complete malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for 16 months in air-dried American oak barrels, only 19% new, following Ridge's typical philosophy of minimal intervention.
Tasting notes
Intense aromas of raspberry and blackberry, pepper and liquorice, with hints of vanilla, dried herbs and black tea. On the palate, it reveals black cherry and juicy plum, full-bodied but fresh, with a silky texture, pronounced minerality and lively acidity. The finish is long and layered, with notes of dark spices and garrigue.
Grape varieties
76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro; 14.4% vol.
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. Enjoy now through 2033.
Set in the Santa Cruz Mountains with a second winery and vineyard acreage in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley called Lytton Springs, Ridge made its first Monte Bello in 1962 (the Monte Bello Vineyard dates back to 1885) and is devoted to single-vineyard winemaking, what it calls “pre-industrial winemaking,” organic and sustainable farming, and full transparency; it is one of the few wineries to list ingredients on its back labels. Winemaker Paul Draper joined in 1969. The winemaking team today consists of head winemaker John Olney, who has been on the team since 1996, Lytton Springs winemaker Shauna Rosenblum, and assistant winemaker Michael Bairdsmith. It remains one of the great names in California wine, celebrated for making ageable wines.
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. Drink now through 2035.
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. (Drink between 2025-2035)
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.
O Lytton Springs 2023 é uma mistura de 76% de Zinfandel, 14% de Petite Sirah, 7% de Carignane, 2% de Alicante Bouschet e 1% de Mataro, que amadureceu durante 16 meses em 19% de carvalho americano novo seco ao ar. Este ano, é especialmente elegante e expressivo, oferecendo aromas puros de cereja preta, mirtilo, terra húmida, salva, violeta e ferro fundido. O paladar encorpado apresenta sabores concentrados e perfumados. É enquadrado por taninos finos e calcários e uma acidez vibrante, e tem um final longo repleto de perfume floral intenso. Deve ser guardado por muito tempo na adega.
Meaty nose. Really lively – almost fizzy! But this is proper wine that should mature beautifully. Quite a star! 2027-2040
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.
