Ridge 2023 Lytton Zinfandel Springs Red Wine 3000 ml (3L)

Lytton Springs is one of the truly historic names in California wine — the vineyard was first assembled as a single property in the 1870s under "Captain" William Litton, its spelling gradually evolving to "Lytton" by 1903, and some of its Zinfandel vines have now been in continuous production for well over a century. Ridge Vineyards made its first Lytton Springs bottling in 1972 from vines planted on the vineyard's eastern half at the turn of the century, later purchasing the western portion in the early 1990s to complete the estate. Today the vineyard is farmed entirely organically, and the wine has become one of Ridge's most consistently celebrated and most eagerly anticipated annual releases.

The 2023 growing season demanded real patience: a cold, rainy winter (64 inches of rainfall, well above average) gave way to a cool summer that pushed the entire season back and slowed ripening, delaying harvest by roughly a month — grapes weren't picked until September 23 through October 24. That extended hang time and cooler overall trajectory produced a genuinely more restrained, elegant expression of Lytton Springs than the more powerful vintages that preceded it — "less fruit intensity, but still unmistakably Ridge," as Decanter put it. The blend runs 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Mataro, fermented with 100% natural yeast through both primary and secondary fermentation, and matured 16 months in 19% new air-dried American oak.

The critical reception here has been genuinely extraordinary. Wine Spectator named the 2023 Lytton Springs its #3 Wine of the Year for 2025 — one of the most significant honors any single bottling can receive — alongside a score of 95 Points, finding it "deeply structured and full of tension," a "polished red" with "bold blackberry flavors accented with savory anise, black pepper and dark Asian spices," ending on "big but refined tannins." Decanter Magazine awarded 96 Points, describing "fresh aromas of herbs from a bouquet garni mix with earthy tones and subtle sweet notes from baking spices," the fruit "oscillating between ripe red and black berries, with a touch of plums and ripe cherries." James Suckling matched Wine Spectator's score with 95 Points, finding "bright and perfumed aromas of red cherries, raspberry coulis, confit plums, licorice and spice," the palate "full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and vibrant, crunchy acidity." Vinous also awarded 95 Points, calling it "powerfully aromatic and expressive from the jump," exploding "from the glass with dark blue fruit, lavender and blood orange peel, framed by mocha-like richness and a wave of exotic spice," the texture "pure silk," concluding: "if you know Lytton, you know these wines can age for decades — this one is clearly built for the long haul." Wine.com's Wilfred Wong awarded 95 Points as well, recalling his own introduction to Ridge through the original 1972 Lytton Springs bottling decades earlier. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rounded out the field with 94 Points, finding "pure aromas of black cherry, blueberry, damp earth, sage, violet and cast iron." This is one of the most decorated single vintages in Ridge's storied history — now available in this substantial 3-liter format, ideal for extended cellaring and serious entertaining alike.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Lytton Springs Vineyard traces its origins to the 1870s, when the property was first assembled as a single holding under "Captain" William Litton; the spelling gradually evolved to "Lytton" by 1903. Ridge Vineyards produced its first Lytton Springs bottling in 1972, sourced from vines on the vineyard's eastern half planted at the turn of the century — vines that were already three-quarters of a century old at the time. Ridge acquired the vineyard's western portion in the early 1990s, completing the estate. Some of the property's oldest plantings now exceed 100 years of age, producing the small yields of intensely concentrated fruit the wine has become known for. The vineyard, planted predominantly to Zinfandel alongside Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet, and Mataro (Mourvèdre), is farmed entirely organically.

The 2023 vintage was shaped by a genuinely demanding growing season: a cold, rainy winter delivered 64 inches of rainfall, well above the historical average, followed by a cool summer that pushed bloom to the end of June and delayed harvest by roughly a month relative to typical years. Grapes were picked between September 23 and October 24, reaching an average of 24.7° Brix, with total acidity of 7.39 g/L and pH of 3.66. The wine is a blend of 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Mataro, undergoing full crush with 100% natural fermentation through both primary and secondary stages, before maturing 16 months in barrels comprising 19% new, air-dried American oak. Bottled at 14.4% ABV.

Critics Reviews

Wine Spectator — 95 Points, #3 Wine of the Year 2025:
"Deeply structured and full of tension, this polished red displays a distinctive personality, offering bold blackberry flavors accented with savory anise, black pepper and dark Asian spices. Ends with big but refined tannins."

Decanter Magazine — 96 Points:
"A much cooler growing season delayed the start of harvest by about a month, resulting in a wine with greater restraint than the previous vintage. The 2023 is a more elegant take on this wine, with less fruit intensity, but still unmistakably Ridge. Fresh aromas of herbs from a bouquet garni mix with earthy tones and subtle sweet notes from baking spices. The fruit profile oscillates between ripe red and black berries, with a touch of plums and ripe cherries."

James Suckling — 95 Points:
"A lovely release with lots of freshness from a cooler vintage. Bright and perfumed aromas of red cherries, raspberry coulis, confit plums, licorice and spice. The palate is full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and vibrant, crunchy acidity."

Vinous — 95 Points:
"The 2023 Lytton Springs is powerfully aromatic and expressive from the jump. It explodes from the glass with dark blue fruit, lavender and blood orange peel, framed by mocha-like richness and a wave of exotic spice. The texture is pure silk, wrapping the palate with seamless contours and lifted freshness courtesy of the cool growing season... remarkable persistence and poise. If you know Lytton, you know these wines can age for decades — this one is clearly built for the long haul."

Wilfred Wong, Wine.com — 95 Points:
"The 1972 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel was my introduction to the outstanding portfolio of Ridge Vineyards. Tasted in the mid-1970s, I can still recall that memorable moment. The 2023 vintage showcases aromas and flavors of brambleberries, oaky notes, and sandalwood to the fore. Pair it with lamb tacos with a sweet mole sauce."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate — 94 Points:
"Pure aromas of black cherry, blueberry, damp earth, sage, violet and cast iron."

CellarTracker community — 93.1 average (96 tasting notes)

Tasting Profile

Nose
Fresh bouquet garni herbs mix with earthy tones and subtle baking spice sweetness. Red cherries, raspberry coulis, confit plums, and dark blue fruit lead, joined by lavender, blood orange peel, black cherry, blueberry, damp earth, sage, and violet.

Palate
Deeply structured and full of tension, medium to full-bodied with a good heft. Bold blackberry flavors meet savory anise, black pepper, and dark Asian spices, wrapped in pure silk texture with mocha-like richness. Fruit oscillates between ripe red and black berries, with plums and ripe cherries throughout.

Finish
Big but refined tannins close things out, with remarkable persistence and poise. A genuinely long, layered finish built for extended cellaring — critics agree this vintage has real staying power for decades ahead.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Lamb tacos with sweet mole sauce
• Grilled or roasted red meat
• Aged hard cheeses
• Rich, savory braises