Ridge Vineyards : Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2024

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2024 by Ridge Vineyards

Tasting

Colour
An alluring, deeply intense purple hue.

Nose
Remarkably expressive, the nose reveals superb aromas of freshly picked raspberry, intertwined with hints of black pepper, sage and liquorice, along with indulgent notes of dark chocolate.

Palate
The palate is generously dominated by flavours of plum and black cherry. Beautifully supple tannins and an elegant minerality underpin the texture, leading to a long, complex finish with notes of spice, black tea and garrigue.

Food and wine pairings
This red wine will pair wonderfully with slow-cooked meats in rich sauces such as beef bourguignon, or with herb-roasted meats such as lamb chops. It will also beautifully complement duck breast or pork tenderloin stuffed with figs.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate the Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2024, it is best served at a temperature of 16–18°C. With excellent ageing potential, this vintage can be cellared and enjoyed until around 2034.

The richness and structure of a great Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel from California

The estate
The site's winegrowing history began in 1885 high up on Monte Bello Ridge, but Ridge Vineyards was officially founded in 1962. Located in California, this historic estate truly took off with the arrival of Paul Draper in 1969. Renowned worldwide for its artisanal, chemical-free approach centred on the pure expression of terroir, the estate stands out for the complete transparency of its labels. Now managed by John Olney and owned by the Otsuka Pharmaceutical group since 1986, the estate remains an essential benchmark among America's great wines.

The vineyard
The grapes come from the Dry Creek Valley appellation in Sonoma County. The vines flourish at an altitude of around 120 metres, sinking their roots into a terroir of clay and gravel soils. The estate practises certified organic farming, fostering biodiversity and soil health to bring out the very best of these historic parcels.

The vintage
2024 was marked by generous rainfall. After a rather cool start to the season, temperatures became particularly hot from June onwards. A brief but intense heatwave in July accelerated ripening, resulting in a compressed harvest that nonetheless yielded superbly balanced grapes.

Vinification and ageing
To craft the Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2024, the bunches are carefully destemmed and then crushed. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations begin entirely naturally, driven by indigenous yeasts and bacteria. This American wine is then aged for an extended 16 months in American oak barrels, 18% of them new, to refine its structure.

Grape varieties
78% Zinfandel
13% Petite Sirah
6% Carignan
2% Alicante Bouschet
1% Grenache