Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2023

Ridge Lytton Springs 2023 is one of California's iconic red wines and a benchmark for old vine zinfandel blends. Founded in 1959 and shaped by the legendary Paul Draper, Ridge Vineyards helped establish the modern reputation of California fine wine through its commitment to single vineyard bottlings, organic farming, native fermentations, and transparent winemaking. The Lytton Springs vineyard in Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley has been at the heart of that mission for more than fifty years and contains many vines originally planted in the early 1900s.

The 2023 vintage is a classic field blend of 76% zinfandel, 14% petite sirah, 7% carignane, 2% alicante bouschet, and 1% mataro. Rather than fermenting varieties separately, Ridge treats the vineyard as an integrated whole, preserving the historic mixed planting tradition that has long defined Lytton Springs. The grapes are organically farmed, harvested by hand, fermented with native yeasts, and aged for sixteen months in primarily neutral American oak barrels.

A cooler growing season in 2023 produced a particularly elegant and structured expression of Lytton Springs. The wine offers layers of blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, plum, pepper, licorice, dried herbs, and black tea, supported by fine tannins, vibrant acidity, and a distinctive mineral streak. While generous and approachable in its youth, it possesses the balance and complexity to evolve beautifully over the next decade or more.

Lytton Springs remains one of the great examples of California's old vine heritage, combining richness, freshness, and remarkable ageworthiness. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, barbecue, lamb, hearty vegetable dishes, and aged cheeses, showcasing why Ridge continues to be regarded as one of the state's most respected producers.