2024 Lytton Springs

Nose of brambly raspberry, anise, French vanilla and sage. Flavors of plum, boysenberry, mineral and dark chocolate meet chewy tannins and a long finish. SR (4/26)

A second year of generous rainfall renewed the vines. A brief heat spike in July challenged the carignane and petite sirah, yet zinfandel weathered it without difficulty. Color and tannin extracted easily, reducing maceration time to seven days on average. Twenty-two blocks were selected for their rich texture and balanced structure. Excellent now, this fine wine will soften and develop added complexity over the next decade. SR (11/25)

In 1972, Ridge made its first Lytton Springs from vines planted on the eastern half of the vineyard at the turn of the century. Both the eastern and western portions of the vineyard were purchased in the early 1990s, (In the 1870s, under “Captain” William Litton’s ownership, the two were part of one property; spelling evolved to “Lytton” by 1903.) The vineyard is planted to zinfandel and its principal complementary varietals.

Rainfall: 45.6 inches (above average)
Bloom: Early May
Weather: A cool start to the season. From early June on, the weather was warm to hot, leading to a condensed harvest.

Harvest Dates: 29 August – 13 September
Grapes: Average Brix 24.8˚
TA: 6.66 g/L
pH: 3.78
Fermentation: Full crush; 100% Natural primary and secondary
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (18% new, 4% one year old, 10% two years old, 10% three years old, and 58% five-plus years old).
Aging: Sixteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested, organically grown, estate grapes; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; tartaric acid; oak from barrel aging; water; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 154 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.

Zinfandel Chronicles: 97 Points “Crimson in color. Brilliant nose of red and black fruits, plums and baking spices. Medium to full bodied with mouth watering acidity. Packed with dark, tart fruits. Impressive structure and concentration. Black cherry, raspberry liqueur, boysenberry and pepper on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. The 2024 Lytton Springs is a monumental effort. Best over the next 10-12 years.” -Tom Lee (March 2026)

JamesSuckling.com: 95 Points “One of the most structured, concentrated and powerful of Ridge’s old-vine zinfandel-dominant reds. Packed with blueberries, raspberries, orange zest, chocolate, turned earth and new leather. Delicious, detailed and deep. Drink now or hold.” -Jim Gordon (March 2026)

Wilfred Wong: 94 Points “The 2024 Ridge Lytton Springs red wine shows a deep ruby color with purple hues; aromatic earth and dried spice notes rise from the glass; full-bodied and lush on the palate; dry, with lively acidity and well-balanced structure; bold blackberry flavors are enhanced by integrated oak nuances; finishing firm, layered, and soulful with excellent persistence. Paired with Korean-style dwaeji bulgogi, the sweet heat of gochujang, caramelized edges of grilled pork, and layers of garlic, sesame, and soy mirror the wine’s bold fruit and earthy spice, while its lively acidity cuts through the richness and its structure holds firm, creating a beautifully balanced interplay of power and finesse—each bite and sip building on the last, deeply satisfying and true to the spirit of both traditions. (Best Served: 2028-2032)” -Wilfred Wong (March 2026)

Wine Spectator: 93 Points “Deep and brambly, with robust flavors of wild berries accented by licorice, fruitcake spices and pepper as this builds tension toward full-bodied tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet and Grenache. Best from 2027 through 2037.” -Tim Fish (March 2026)

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