RIDGE LYTTON SPRINGS 2021

Ridge Vineyards, founded in 1885 by Osea Perrone, is a historic winery located on Monte Bello Ridge in California. The winery was later acquired by a group of Stanford Research Institute engineers in the 1960s, who began producing high-quality cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel wines. Under the guidance of winemaker Paul Draper, who joined in 1969, Ridge Vineyards has become known for its traditional, minimalist approach to winemaking, focusing on expressing the unique character of its vineyards. The estate expanded to include the Lytton Springs vineyard in Sonoma County in 1991, and continues to produce internationally renowned wines, primarily from cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel grapes. A dry winter left the vines struggling to find water. This reduced fruit set in all varietals, especially zinfandel. Thirty-eight parcels were harvested from September first to October fifth and fermented separately. Thirty-four were selected, including vines planted in 1901 and eighty-year-old counoise inter-planted with cinsaut. Enjoyable now, this beautiful, complex wine will continue to develop over the next ten years and beyond. Nose of red and black raspberry, white pepper, fennel, sage, dark chocolate and sarsaparilla. Full bodied with notes of blackberry and ripe plum; juicy acidity, excellent midpalate weight and a lengthy finish.