Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2014 300CL

The International Wine Report (October 2016): 93 Points. – “Sourced from the Dry Creek Valley, this wine is a blend of 69% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane, and 2% Mataro (Mourvedre). As this wine begins to open it releases aromatics of dried raisin, black plums, red cherries with a spicy, nutmeg component at the back end. There are beautifully concentrated flavors of black tea, sage, black cherry, eucalyptus and hints of cranberry that sit alongside some gritty tannins. This needs another year to soften but shows some wonderful potential at this juncture. (Best 2017-2028) – ” -(OB)

The Wine Advocate (October 2016): 91+ Points. – “More fresh and elegant than the Geyserville, with a touch more focus, the 2014 Lytton Springs is another beautiful wine from this estate. Made from 69% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah and the rest Carignan and Mourvèdre, aged in 20% new American oak, it boasts fabulous notes of plums, blackberry jam, toasted spice and licorice as well as medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful mid-palate depth and notable tannin. The Geyserville is a touch sexier, but this will be longer lived. Give bottles 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following decade or more.” -Jeb Dunnuck

California Grapevine, (September 2016): 91 Points – “Medium-dark ruby; attractive, spicy, briary, ripe, plummy, red and black berry fruit aroma with hints of vanilla and green olive; full body; rich, ripe, spicy, textured, black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors with good depth and structure; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very approachable and easy to drink now, though deserving a few more years of bottle aging.” Very highly recommended. 14.3% alcohol; 11,500 cases; a blend of 69% Zinfandel, 18% PS, 11% Carignane, and 2% Mataro; released September 2016. (Group Score: 16.3, 1/0/0; My Score: 17 [90/100], ninth place)

Vinous Media (July 2016): 94+ Points. “The 2014 Lytton Springs is another absolutely gorgeous wine. Perhaps because of its relatively recent bottling, the 2014 feels a bit compressed, but there appears to be plenty of complexity and depth hiding behind the acidity and tannin. Far from an easygoing Zinfandel, the 2014 Lytton is a wine to buy and cellar for at least a handful of years. The wine’s richness, persistence and vertical intensity all lead me to believe it will be special in time. Black cherry, pomegranate, mint and sweet spices meld into the resonant finish. A kick of tannin from the Petite adds personality, something the 2014 has in spades.” -Antonio Galloni