Introduction:
The 2023 Ridge Lytton Springs is a powerfully expressive field-blend red that captures both the heritage and hills of Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Built on Zinfandel with a supporting cast of Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet, and Mataro, it delivers intensity, complexity, and structure worthy of cellaring.

Terroir:
Grown in organically farmed vineyards at Lytton Springs, this wine benefits from mixed plantings of old vines, steep slopes, and soils that lend minerality and tension. The 2023 vintage was marked by a cold, rainy winter and cooler summer that delayed ripening, resulting in elegant ripeness, vibrant acidity, and nuanced flavor. Harvest spanned from September 23 to October 24, combining 28 parcels for barrel selection.

Appearance:
Dark garnet with ruby edges; deep core and rich density, with slow legs that reveal weight and extract.

Nose:
Raspberry, pepper, and licorice offer immediate lift, followed by vanilla subtleties. As it opens up, hints of garrigue herbs, black cherry, and plum emerge, alongside oak spice and minerality.

Palate:
Medium-full bodied, balancing juicy dark fruit—black cherry, plum, bramble—with savory and herbal overtones. Firmer tannins provide structure, while vibrant acidity keeps energy. Oak delivers toasty vanilla and character without overwhelming the fruit. Additional depth from supporting varietals adds complexity in texture and spice layers.

Finish:
Long and layered. Fruit persists—ripe berries, black cherry—while herbal garrigue, mineral notes, and modulated oak tannin linger. The acidity frames the finish, keeping it fresh rather than heavy.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

• Meat dish: Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic or smoked brisket with peppery rub

• Vegetarian option: Grilled eggplant stacks with herb oil or savory mushroom ragout over polenta

• Cheese pairing: Aged Manchego or smoked Gouda—cheeses with enough heft and flavor to match the wine’s tannin and complexity

Overall Impression:
The 2023 Lytton Springs is a striking expression of legacy Sonoma vineyards: deeply layered dark fruit, peppery spice, and elegant herbal-mineral tension wrapped in refined tannins. It balances boldness and precision, making it compelling to drink now with hearty food and promising enough to age with grace. A serious wine for lovers of dense yet articulate field blends.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14.4%
Farming Practices: Organically grown; estate vineyard; mixed old vines
Producer Name: Ridge Vineyards
Old World / New World: New World
Country of Origin: USA
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
Grape Varietals: 76% Zinfandel; 14% Petite Sirah; 7% Carignane; 2% Alicante Bouschet; 1% Mataro
Vintage: 2023
Wine Style: Dry red; field blend; structured, fruit-driven with herbal and oak complexity
Winemaking Techniques: Native yeast fermentation; full malolactic; aged ~16 months in 100% air-dried American oak barrels (various ages, portion new)
Pack Size: 750 mL
Container Style: Standard glass wine bottle
Closure Style: Cork

98 points, Jeb Dunnuck:
"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."

96 points, Decanter:
"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."

95 points, Wine Spectator:
"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. Drink now through 2035. 11,000 cases made.