Before Ridge’s 2023 Lytton Springs was awarded Wine Spectator’s #3 Wine of the Year in 2025, it had already picked up a casual 98-point score from Jeb Dunnuck! As one of the most historic vineyards and wineries in the state, the team at Ridge never take their status and success for granted. They’re always looking for ways to improve their farming and winemaking, and take their role as stewards of these 100+ year-old vineyards very seriously. The 2023 Lytton is truly magical. The very cool growing season and late harvest in 2023 really played to the strengths of these historic, heritage vineyards. The wine possesses a natural old vine concentration, great depth and layered complexity from the field blend, but also wonderful purity and freshness from the pristine fruit. A legend in the making here.

This structured and layered zinfandel is one of those gorgeous wines that manage to be harmonious while each type of grape contributes a recognizable individual character to the blend. The craftsmanship and expertise that is showcased here is unmistakable. This is an iconic wine for someone who wants a fruit-forward red that is not overdone.

So very interesting, I love having wines from the same winemaker, same grape back to back and have them be super different. It just shows me it's less about a house style and more about taking what the earth gives and making the best thing you can from it. The fruit here is a bit more high toned, with red cherry and cranberry skin, then slowly giving way to darker fruits, cherries, blackberry compote, and plum skin. The palate has a great density of fruit, stewed cherries, bramblefruit, and a little overripe strawberry, but then it goes into something a bit earthy and dusty before succumbing to a little bit of barrel spice on the very finish, mingling and twining with the fruit.