Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2020

This seamless, polished but also firm and well-structured wine achieves power with grace. Wonderful black fig, black olive and plump blackberry flavors ride a full body backed by good, well-integrated tannins. This classic from Ridge's Sonoma County property consists of 79% Zinfandel plus 11% Petite Sirah and 10% Carignan. Best from 2025-2040.

The 2020 Lytton Springs is a very pretty wine. Bright floral and spice accents open first. Silky and medium in body, with plenty of persistence and fine balance, the 2020 is pretty impressive, especially for the year. Zinfandel character really drives the feel in 2020. A burst of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and dried herbs lingers on the open-knit, intensely perfumed finish.

Deeply structured and showing simmering potency, this red reveals blackberry and currant flavors highlighted by savory dill and white pepper accents. Hands off this one for now. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane. Best from 2024 through 2032. 6,700 cases made.

The 2020 Lytton Springs showed well, offering solid darker berry and plum fruits as well as roasted herbs, chalky minerality, and dried earth. This spicy, savory, medium-bodied effort has solid tannins, good depth of fruit, and a clean finish. As with most 2020s, the savory, dry edge to the tannins detracts, but this certainly offers charm.