1973 Lytton Springs

Color is very vibrant, moving towards a maroon red but impressively deep and dark through the middle. Beautifully complex nose reminiscent of being in a cool moist cave, yet the aromas are distinctly floral. Amazingly fresh, like an orange blossom. Silky mouthfeel, tannins completely resolved, some sweet black licorice, lively acidity. Elegant, very elegant and balanced at 12.8%. Overtones of cedar, leather, coffee and mint are present. But most of all, captivating fruit that can only be described as what it is, zinfandel, makes it clear who’s at the wheel and why this wine, at 40 years, qualifies for the few percent of those we call great. ~ John Olney, June 2013

This old hill vineyard produced two tons per acre in 1973. Many Zinfandel vineyards in deep valley soils produce several times that amount. The intensity gained through low production is evident in the richness and varietal character of this superb wine. The secondary fermentation and aging in small oak cooperage has softened the wine sufficiently for tasting this fall; however, it will need several years of bottle age to approach its potential.

Ridge wine is made with an emphasis on quality and naturalness that is rarely attempted. Our grapes are grown in select vineyards (usually identified on the label), where they are left to ripen to peak maturity, often at some loss of quantity. We let the wine settle and age in small barrels, with only rare cellar treatment other than racking. Varieties are not blended unless indicated on the label. Near Black Mountain on Monte Bello Ridge, our main vineyard is 10 miles south of Palo Alto, 15 miles inland from the ocean, and over 2000 feet in elevation.

Average Rating: 93.7

No. of Tasting Notes: 3

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