Lytton Springs 2014 Ridge Vineyards

Tasting Note Lytton Springs 2014

The nose reveals notes of plum and blackberry jam, followed by hints of toasted spices and licorice. It is medium to full-bodied, with beautiful mid-palate depth, and the tannins still have room to mature further. The acidity prevents the fruit flavors from becoming too heavy. Thirteen months of oak aging has softened the sharpness of the tannins without completely rounding out their character. 

Grape Varieties

In this wine, Zinfandel makes up 69% of the blend and drives the fruit flavors. The remaining varieties refine the wine's flavor profile:

• 18% Petite Sirah: Primarily responsible for color and firm tannins
• 11% Carignane
• 2% Mataro (better known as Mourvèdre)

These varieties were planted alongside Zinfandel in Dry Creek Valley over 100 years ago. The proportions vary from year to year.

Cellaring Potential

Thanks to its firm tannins and long finish, the Lytton Springs 2014 has plenty of room to develop. It is best enjoyed through 2032. The 13-month aging in oak barrels has softened the wine's sharp edges while maintaining its robust structure. Serve it at 16-18°C.

About Ridge Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards puts the vineyard name on the front of the label and the full ingredient list on the back, a practice it began with the 2011 vintage and one that few producers anywhere follow. Monte Bello, the Cabernet vineyard, sits in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Cupertino, on the ridge that gave the winery its name. Up in Sonoma County, Geyserville and Lytton Springs date to the 1880s, and Ridge turned them into serious bottlings at a time when Zinfandel was treated as filler. Paul Draper arrived in 1969 at 33 (a Stanford philosophy major who had studied French and Italian cooking first) and stayed for the rest of his career. In the cellar the approach is called pre-industrial: minimal additives, minimal processing. A large share of the land is farmed organically.

Terroir & Climate

Lytton Springs sits in Dry Creek Valley and the oldest Zinfandel there dates from the turn of the last century. These vineyard blocks are interplanted: next to Zinfandel are Petite Sirah, Carignane, a small amount of Mataro (Mourvèdre), and Grenache. Therefore, this blend is not based on a set recipe, but rather on a combination determined by growers who have since passed away. Sonoma's warm days and cool nights help preserve the acidity of Zinfandel. The grapes used for Lytton Springs are grown organically.

Winemaking

Ridge refers to its winemaking process as pre-industrial. It uses almost no additives and minimizes processing as much as possible. For Lytton Springs, this process begins in the vineyard. Since the vines, planted in mixed rows, are harvested together, the vineyard itself determines the blend ratio before the winery staff makes a final decision. The wine is then aged in American oak barrels. The ingredient list on the back label is intentionally kept concise.

Food Pairing

Grilled meats are a natural pairing, and Lytton Springs's firm tannins support this.

• Santa Maria-style tri-tip grilled over an oak charcoal fire, allowing the smoky aroma and sweet fruit flavors to blend
• Barbecued pork ribs, where the smoke and sauce complement the Zinfandel's bramble
• Lamb chops served with rosemary
• Aged dry Jack, salty enough to soften the grip

Fat and salt help mellow the sharpness of the tannins.