2013RidgeLyttonEstate2013 Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Estate, Proprietary Red, Dry Creek Valley.
The 2013 Lytton Estate 40% Grenache, 40% Mataro, 15% Zinfandel and 5% Carignane from Lytton in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County is a hybrid California-Chateauneuf style blend with seriously delicious style, and is available at their tasting rooms and through their wine clubs. A wonderful Sunday afternoon tasting at Lytton Springs brought many new experiences and some familiar classics, I always love these warm days at Lytton and the staff and setting are near perfect. Sitting on the lounge deck overlooking the 100 year old Zinfandel vines it is hard not to carried away by the pace and the wines, this is heaven and of the new offerings I was impressed with this new 2013 Lytton Estate Red in particular stood out. This vintage is just fantastic, these are full bodied, lush and vibrant wines, I think 2013 might be a touch better across the board than 2012 even, and this wine especially with a blend heavy in both Grenache and Mataro (Mourvedre) that shows great detail, charm and sexy fruit, spice and complexity in a fun and open wine. I put my money where my pie hole is, and bought a few of these beauties, it starts with array of dark berries, peppery spice, hints of lavender, new saddle leather and kirsch leading to a palate of boysenberry, damson plum, briar notes, cedar, vanilla and iron shavings. With air the wine fills out and expands, but still feels perky and energetic with sweet chewy tannins, bramble and juiciness, the finish is good and lengthy with lingering red currants, dusty stones, a hint of black licorice, dried flowers and minty herbs. This is a highly entertaining red that gives lots of pleasure, it’s ripe, but not overly so with density and structure subtly holding the fruit together, it should age well too, best from 2015 to 2020.
($30 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive

By admin