Lytton Springs Winery
Flora Springs
Trilogy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1994
Before I get into the notes, Flora Springs “Trilogy” is one of those wines from my formative years in this wine journey. Subsequently, it holds a special place in my heart. You can probably imagine how excited I was to enjoy the 1994 a vintage I likely drank long ago, out of a double-magnum no less! Giddy.
Popped and poured from double-magnum into red Solo cups and enjoyed her the course of an hour. The 1994 “Trilogy” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: brambles, currants, plums, tobacco, old leather, dusty earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is silky. The large format has no doubt had an effect on this wine’s nearly evergreen properties but what a treat! Drink now regardless of format and enjoy this in its full maturity. — 3 months ago
Ridge Vineyards
Lytton Estate Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2023
Ridge Vineyards – Zinfandel Blend – 2023
Lytton Springs Vineyard – Dry Creek Valley – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A famously complex field blend from one of Ridge’s crown-jewel vineyards. The 2023 Lytton Springs delivers intensity from start to finish, layered, structured, and deeply expressive. While Ridge’s single-vineyard Zinfandels showcase purity, Lytton Springs shows architecture: Zin 76% as the backbone, 14% Petite Sirah for muscle, 7% Carignane for lift, 2% Alicante Bouschet for color, and 1% Mataro for savory depth.
Aromas & Flavors
Black raspberry, boysenberry, and dark cherry with violet, cracked pepper, cedar, licorice, and warm baking spice. Subtle graphite and dried herbs emerge with air, adding another dimension.
Mouthfeel
Dense and full-bodied with concentrated fruit, firm tannins, and vibrant acidity. The Petite Sirah brings grip and power, while Carignane adds freshness. The finish is long, structured, and beautifully persistent.
Food Pairings
Smoked brisket, rosemary lamb chops, charcoal-grilled steak, hearty chili, or aged Manchego.
Verdict
A multi-layered, intensely focused Zinfandel blend that represents Ridge at its most complete and architectural. A wine that rewards slow sipping, and even more, side-by-side comparison.
Did You Know?
Lytton Springs is one of the few historic vineyards in California where the field-blend tradition is still honored. Many vines are 100+ years old, interplanted in the classic old-vine recipe: Zinfandel with Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet, and Mataro. Ridge preserves this original vineyard voice in every vintage.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Taste Ridge’s 100% Zinfandel “Benito Dusi” bottling before opening Lytton Springs, and you’ll appreciate how expressive both styles are, then taste them simultaneously for an elevated, eye-opening experience of structure versus purity. — 21 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Lytton Estate Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah Blend 2016
Well worth the wait as suggested by the vintners. Light smoke and earthy elements with a touch of limestone. Good medium body mouthfeel and well softened tannins carrying fully ripened plums combined with dark currants. Somewhere between lavender and eucalyptus in the finish add a little fun to the finish. Glad I have two more bottles to check again in a year to see how this vintage continues to finish out. — 3 months ago
Ridge Vineyards
Lytton Estate Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah Zinfandel
Love it. Truly enjoy the overall mouthfeel and overall flavor. — 5 months ago
Evening Land Vineyards
Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Definitely delicious — 3 months ago
Jay Kline
From magnum. Popped and poured into red Solo cups; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2008 pours a deep ruby purple color with a near opaque core; medium plus viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, red and black fruits: mixed brambles, black cherry, black pepper, leather, dry earth and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium plus. Still pretty fresh and considering this is one of the more long-lived examples of Zinfandel I can think of, there is almost no end in sight. Drink now through 2043. — 2 months ago