Winemaker Notes
Blend: 78% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 6% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Grenache
Professional Ratings
-
Vinous
The 2024 Lytton Springs is so vibrant and resonant. The purest, most crystalline black cherry fruit explodes from the glass, highlighted by a technicolor array of citrus peel, gamey elements and wild, heady violet florals. With aeration, the 2024 deepens dramatically, embracing a well of truffly earth tones and serious minerality that lend dynamism and intrigue. Chalky tannins have already integrated quite a bit in bottle, but the 2024 is a wine that will clearly cruise for two decades, likely more. The Lytton and Geyserville were neck and neck from barrel, but the Lytton has taken the lead (albeit by a smidge) from bottle, egged on by an incredibly long finish. Magnificent.
-
Decanter
A classic old field blend from Ridge's Lytton Springs vineyard in Dry Creek Valley, initially planted between 1901 and 1910. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum ferments each block separately, then chooses the best lots to blend into this bottling. Savoury aromas, with an earthy character and dried flowers, and a curious old-library note. A warmer vintage than 2023, it keeps the Zinfandel in a dark, brooding-fruit zone, though brighter highlights of tart citrus and a thread of minerality lift it – helped, perhaps, by a tiny 1% addition of Grenache to the blend this vintage.
-
James Suckling
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.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
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. (Tasted: March 17, 2026, San Francisco, CA, USA)
-
Wine Spectator
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.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Blending 78% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 6% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Grenache, the 2024 Lytton Springs is full-bodied and generous in juicy cherry, blackberry, and plum. Dusty sage punctuates an herbaceous underbelly, with polished tannins and well-integrated oak. Drink now through 2034.
RIDGE's history begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He planted vineyards and constructed a winery of redwood and native limestone in time to produce the first vintage of Monte Bello in 1892. The historic building now serves as the RIDGE production facility.
In 1962, Ridge Vineyards made its first Monte Bello, and two years later its first zinfandel. The RIDGE approach is straightforward: find the most intense and flavorful grapes, guide the natural process, draw all the fruit's richness into the wine. Decisions on when to pick, when to press, when to rack, what varietals and what parcels to include and when to bottle, are based on taste. To retain the nuances that increase complexity, Ridge winemakers handle the grapes and wine as gently as possible. There are no recipes, only attention and sensitivity.
In August 2021, Ridge Vineyards joined International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), a group of like-minded wineries that are dedicated to decarbonizing the global wine industry. RIDGE is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and completes a biannual greenhouse gas audit utilizing the World Resources Institute Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol methodology and be verified by an internationally accredited, third-party auditor.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.