2013 Lytton Estate Primitivo

These five acres are planted to primitivo, a zinfandel clone from the Puglia region of Italy. We thinned for concentration, and fermented half with the cap submerged and half with it floating. After combining the two, we added petite sirah for firmer structure. Rich with well-defined fruit, this excellent wine will develop over the next five to six years. JO (11/14)

In 1972, Ridge made its first Lytton Springs from vines planted here at the turn of the century. We purchased both the eastern and western portions of the vineyard in the early 1990s. (In the 1870s, under “Captain” William Litton’s ownership, the two were part of one property; spelling evolved into “Lytton” by 1903). This is the fourth time we have bottled primitivo as a separate wine. It is from a single block planted to one of the clones of zinfandel from the Puglia region of southern Italy.

Rainfall: 24.5-30 inches (below average)
Bloom: Early to mid-May
Weather: Warm spring and early summer, followed by cooler weather that slowed ripening.

Harvest: 20 & 23 September
Grapes: Average brix 26.0˚
Fermentation: Natural primary and secondary fermentations. Pressed at nine days.
Barrels: 100% air-dried american oak barrels (20% new, 30% one year and two years old, 50% three to four years old).
Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

Sustainably farmed, hand harvested estate-grown grapes; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on naturally occurring bacteria; 3.8% water addition; 2.2 grams/liter tartaric acid; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 190ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

The Wine Advocate: 92 Points “I had the chance to taste some back vintages at my visit to Ridge this year. A blend of 89% Primitivo and 11% Petite Sirah, the 2013 Lytton Estate Primitivo is medium ruby in color with a nose of dried lavender, sage brush and cocoa with dusty earth, graphite, garrigue, red cherry preserves, warm blackberries, licorice and blue fruit hints—this is still just a baby! Medium-bodied, it’s lifted and fresh in the mouth with intense layers, very fine, ripe, grainy tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long.” – Erin Brooks (February 2020)

Average Rating: 89.8

No. of Tasting Notes: 45

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