2023 Lytton Estate Rosé

Light, elegant expression of rosé with a nose of peach and rose petal. Balanced mouthfeel with pleasant acidity and notes of strawberry, watermelon and mint. SR (12/23)

A cold winter and spring brought twice our normal rainfall, which delayed the growing season by four weeks. The grapes were picked in seven distinct lots and pressed separately. Cinsaut was ready first on September 11th and the last, grenache, on October 20th. Bright acidity and deeply flavored fruit characterize the elegant expression of this refreshing rosé. SR (11/23)

Our first Lytton Estate Rosé was 2016. Each year, since then, we make a rosé culled from the range of Rhône varieties and zinfandel planted throughout our Lytton Springs vineyard. Extemporaneously produced by taste, the makeup of the wine changes vintage-to-vintage. As such, each spring upon release, it offers a unique opportunity to experience an old vineyard from a fresh angle.

Rainfall: 55 inches (above average)
Bloom: Mid June
Weather: A cold winter and spring brought twice our normal rainfall, which delayed the growing season by four weeks. Fortunately, good weather held while we harvested equally late.

Harvest Dates: 11 September – 20 October
Grapes: Average Brix 21.8˚
TA: 7.2 g/L
pH: 3.36
Fermentation: 100% direct-to-press whole-cluster; primary and secondary in stainless steel.
Aging: 100% Stainless Steel

Hand-harvested, organically grown, estate grapes; whole-cluster pressed; fermented in stainless steel, followed by a partial malolactic on the naturally occurring malolactic bacteria; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (13.4 mg/L total); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

JamesSuckling.com: 91 Points “This blend of grenache, zinfandel, mataro, cinsault and counoise from the winery’s estate vineyard offers just-ripe, plummy and peachy flavors with a hint of savory tea. It’s dry and light-bodied, but broad in mouthfeel, nicely firmed up by acidity and a hint of tannin. The oldest vines in this were planted in 1901. Drink now.” -Jim Gordon (May 2024)

Wine Enthusiast: 91 Points “Pale salmon, almost orange in the glass, this is a field blend of Grenache, Zinfandel, Mataro, Cinsaut and Counoise. The nose exudes salty watermelon-lime aromas that carry through to the zippy and energetic palate. This wine has more than enough structure to handle roasted fish or chicken but is very pleasurable all on its own.” -Tom Capo (June 2024)

The Wine Advocate: 91 Points “The 2023 Lytton Estate Rosé is a blend of 36% Grenache, 26% Zinfandel, 15% Mataro, 14% Cinsault and 9% Counoise, picked in seven separate passes. “I want that grippy, bracing acidity naturally,” winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says of the grapes harvested earlier at around 18° Brix. In subsequent picks, she explains, varieties like Grenache are picked at higher ripeness, around 22.5° Brix. The result is a polished rosé that combines full flavors, moderated ripeness and excellent freshness. It has bright aromas of cantaloupe, garrigue and freshly baked bread, and the light-bodied palate features mouthcoating peach and melon flavors, vibrant acidity and a long, spicy finish.” -Erin Brooks (September 2024)

Average Rating: 88.8

No. of Tasting Notes: 15

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