Marathon madness continues…

One of the most iconic offerings from RIDGE hits the #3 spot in Wine Spectator’s Top-100.

AND A RECORD 98 POINTS?!

Because, well…RIDGE Lytton Springs, baby!!! What do you expect?

ICONIC is surely one word. We could throw out many more superlatives, including “wonderous” and “unfathomable…” Few wineries in the world approach RIDGE’s status. And few RIDGE releases (perhaps spare “America’s Latour” Monte Bello) are as iconic as Lytton Springs.

Wine Spectator says it all, “Dry Creek Valley is the epicenter of California Zinfandel, and few vineyards express that like Lytton Springs. It was first planted in 1901, and Ridge’s first bottling was in 1972… The 2023 is more than three-quarters Zinfandel, with Petite Sirah and Carignane contributing a zesty, spicy character to the blend. Lytton Springs winemaker Shauna Rosenblum, daughter of Zinfandel legend Kent Rosenblum, aged the wine for 16 months in American oak barrels, 19 percent of which are new.” And Wine Advocate adds, “Shauna is perfectly poised to take Ridge’s Sonoma County operations to the next level…”

We can keep talking, but who’s listening? As soon as Ops in the know saw RIDGE’s #3 Wine of the Year up, they left, either to get a second mortgage or test the limits of our shopping cart.

Are you still here?

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.”