1996 Lytton Estate Zinfandel

Despite very low yields, a portion of the hundred year-old mixed-varietal vineyard on the hills at Lytton East was held separate for an Advance Tasting Program bottling. We included a small amount of equally-old zinfandel from “the flats”, and five percent petite sirah from Lytton West, achieving lovely balance. The fruit is deep and concentrated, carried by firm, chalky tannins. In aging, new air-dried american oak was limited to less than twenty percent; the rest of the barrels were three years old. Intense and exciting, this fine wine is enjoyable now, and will show its layered fruit to best advantage over the next five years.

Since 1962, Ridge has championed single-vineyard winemaking, searching California for those rare vineyards where climate, soil, and varietal are ideally matched. Using traditional methods and minimal handling, we strive to produce exceptional wines from superior and distinctive fruit.

Average Rating: 90.6

No. of Tasting Notes: 5

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