2022 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah

Dark opaque black color, briary blackberry fruit nose with a hint of pepper, full bodied, well coated tannins on the palate, vanilla mint and floral notes with a long finish. JO (1/25)

Mild summer weather evenly ripened the petite sirah at Lytton West. By September seventh, the hillside blocks of dark, tightly packed clusters had accumulated enough sugar to begin picking. Five days later, the parcels at the lowest elevation were ready as well. Five of the blocks were chosen for their deep color, rich texture and complexity. This exemplary wine will continue to develop over the next ten years. SR (3/24)

The oldest petite sirah vines on our Lytton Estate were planted in 1901 and the youngest in 2008. We made our first wine from the property in 1972. In 2002, we began bottling portions of the petite sirah as a separate wine for a limited release, up until then it had always been included in the Lytton Springs Zinfandel. In 2003 we made another limited release and in 2009 our first national release.

Rainfall: 20.5 inches (below average)
Bloom: Early May
Weather: 2022 was the third year of drought. Thankfully, we received spring rains that helped the vines. These same rains caused shatter in our zinfandel, reducing their crop. Two heat spells pushed the vines to another early harvest.

Harvest Dates: 7 – 12 September
Grapes: Average Brix 23.3˚
TA: 6.5 g/L
pH: 3.76
Fermentation: Whole berry fermentation. Natural primary and secondary; limited pump-overs to once daily.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (20% new, 5% one year old, 12% three years old, 22% four years old, and 41% five years old).
Aging: Sixteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested; organic, estate-grown grapes; destemmed, whole berry fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally-occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush; 86 ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

OwenBargreen.com: 95 Points “The 2022 ‘Lytton Estate’ Petite Sirah is 100% varietal and stands very brooding in the glass. Alluring dark rose petals mark the nose alongside pencil lead, creme de violette, tar and sweet pipe tobacco leaf aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is fresh and viscous, showing a great push-pull, loaded with black and blue fruits. A gorgeous wine that has some great aging potential, enjoy now and over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2038.” -Owen Bargreen (March 2025)

JebDunnuck.com: 95 Points “The 2022 Petite Sirah Lytton Estate is made from 100% Petite Sirah from Lytton Estate. The small berries make for a classic, peppery varietal wine that smells like cotton candy and pepper, tart red fruit more than blue, and has great acidity retention. Spicy, broad-shouldered, and softly tannic, it will do well with cellaring. Aged in 15-20% new oak, all American, it presents as quite floral and is supremely balanced and focused. Medium-bodied, the texture stands out, rich and complex in purple fruit. It should drink best from 2028 through 2032.” -Virginie Boone (April 2025)

Wine.com: 93 Points “Ridge Vineyards, one of the top producers of Petite Sirah, remains a leader. The 2022 Lytton Estate brings excellent richness and expression of this overlooked grape variety. This wine offers aromas and flavors of intense grapeiness, ripe black fruits, and oak. Pair it with an old-fashioned lamb or mutton Irish Stew. (Best Served: 2025-2032)” -Wilfred Wong (March 2025)

Vinography.com “Very dark purple in the glass, this wine smells of ink, blueberries, black cherries, and licorice. In the mouth, rich and intense blackberry and blueberry flavors are zingy with electric acidity that manages to keep things fresh and mouthwatering despite the inky intensity of the fruit. Lightly grippy tannins coat the mouth and stiffen slightly with time. A hint of citrus peel lingers in the finish. 14% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9.” -Alder Yarrow (March 2025)

See all food pairing recipes we have created specifically for this wine.