Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2020 (750ML)

93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2020 Lytton Springs is a very pretty wine. Bright floral and spice accents open first. Silky and medium in body, with plenty of persistence and fine balance, the 2020 is pretty impressive, especially for the year. Zinfandel character really drives the feel in 2020. A burst of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and dried herbs lingers on the open-knit, intensely perfumed finish." 10/22

95 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "This has lots of horizontal tannins that provide fine muscle and form. It's medium- to full-bodied with freshness and brightness. Red berries, crushed cloves and other spices. Grapey, for a better word. Sophisticated. Chewy, Needs time to soften. Zinfandel with petite sirah and carignan. Drinkable now, but better with two or three years of bottle age." 10/22

95 Points, Karen MacNeil, Decanter: "Very juicy and chewy with mulberry and mocha notes. Paul Draper’s love of old California field blends and his belief that Petite Sirah and Carignane (which Ridge spells in the old California manner with an 'e' at the end) add a complementary intrigue to Zinfandel are at work in the Lytton Springs. Accordingly, the wine is not labelled Zinfandel even though at 79% Zin, it could be. The 10% Carignane adds an earthy, sensual, south-of-France character to the flavour. The Petite Sirah - which is never petite in California - adds power and a wallop of tannin. A very distinct wine, mostly from old vines, some of which date back to 1901. Ridge, which has been making Lytton since 1972, bought the vineyard in the early 1990s." 09/22

93 Points, Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits: "At a recent celebration of Ridge’s 60th Anniversary, John Olney mentioned that the mixed vineyard at Lytton Springs has the oldest pinot noir vines in California, among many other varieties, many of them centenarian zinfandel vines along with petite sirah, carignane, mataro and grenache. The mix brings bass notes and dynamic energy to this classical California red. The red-currant and cranberry fruit has a healthy feel to its richness, lasting with restraint and elegance." 12/22