Lytton Springs 2022 is a wine from Ridge Vineyards in California's Sonoma County, blended from 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane, and 3% Alicante Bouschet; some of the grapes were harvested from Zinfandel vines over 100 years old.
The 2022 vintage was marked by drought and low yields. An early spring and mild weather brought the growing season forward, and a subsequent May frost further cut the crop in some blocks. Although the number of berries per vine decreased, the concentration of the wine in the glass became even richer.
One notable change in the wine cellar was the exclusive use of American oak barrels. Previous bottlings had used a blend of French and American. Shauna Rosenblum is the winemaker, and the grapes are cultivated using the Organically Grown method. Ridge itself dates back to around 1959.
It is recommended to decant this wine when opening a young bottle. It will be at its best for enjoyment through 2038.
Robert Parker (94)
The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is composed of 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It opens with initial touches of glossy new American oak—dill and toasted coconut—and gives way to kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries, plus accents of hibiscus and potpourri. The full-bodied palate features generous, spicy flavors. It’s structured by abundant, powdery tannins and lively acidity and has a long, detailed finish. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says this 2022 was crafted using only American oak, a shift from the blend of French and American oak used in the past. It has resulted in a particularly pure, transparent expression that opens dramatically with air, and this 2022 Lytton Springs will benefit from several years in the cellar.
James Suckling (95)
This is the kingpin of Ridge’s Sonoma County heritage blends and it doesn’t disappoint. Equal parts fruity, spicy and savory on a full body braced by moderate tannins. Judicious oak spices like cedar and cigar box complement pure, ripe blackberries and raspberries and a dash of black pepper. Known to age well for decades. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.
Jancis Robinson (17)
67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane, 3% Alicante Bouschet. 50th-anniversary bottling. A low-yielding drought year ‘so red- not black-fruit flavours’, according to winemaker John Olney. Like 1997, this was considered very lush at the time and ‘we thought it wouldn’t age for more than five years!’
Bright crimson. Sweet, bright cherry fruit. Very youthful with notable tannin. There’s structure and fruit but it’s really asking to be left alone for the moment. Clean and bright fruit but with decidedly grainy tannins on the end. (JR)
Vinous (94)
The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is a characterful edition of this classic cuvée, notable for its élevage in only American oak. Exuberant cherry/berry fruit and licorice meet with grilled herbs, tanned leather, vanilla and dill, all energized by juicy acidity. This is a large-scale wine that will certainly stand the test of time. The clarity and precision here are commendable, especially packaged in such a broad-shouldered frame. Fabulous.
Decanter (95)
“This bottling marks the 50th Lytton Springs from Ridge, and appropriately, the wine is beguiling and intense—pure Americana and emblematic of Ridge’s commitment to the heritage varieties and vines in California. Lytton Springs is home to 100-plus-year-old Zinfandel vines interplanted with Petite Sirah and Carignane, among a few other varieties. This bottling has become a standard bearer for the notion of California Zinfandel: smoky clove spices, toasted cinnamon sticks, bramble fruits and spicy black plums. The palate shows intense concentration, red and black plums, black pepper, muddled mint leaves and an undertone of dried anise and thyme. Delicious and built to age.”
BOW (8.5)
Owen Bargreen (95)
The outstanding 2022 Ridge ‘Lytton Springs’ Red Wine is now the 50th bottling of this wine. Mainly Zinfandel (67%) with 19% Petite Sirah and the remainder Carignan and Alicante, this offers rich dark fruits and chocolate on the nose alongside black rose petals. The palate is rich and seamless on the palate, with gorgeous texture and length. A big and broad wine, with dark chocolate, black cherry and red raspberry core, this is already drinking beautifully now.
