An Evening of Lytton Springs

Chez Ross, Vernon, CT
Tasted Thursday, September 22, 2005 by ERoss with 763 views

Introduction

My monthly tasting group met at our place for a vertical tasting of Ridge Lytton Springs, one of Paul Draper's flagship Zin blends. All wines were served blind and poured soon after opening.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2003 Ridge Lytton Springs 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Loads of caramel, mint, pine tar, chocolate, coffee, and black currants on the nose. Lighter in color than the 02 or 99 LS. Surprisingly good and drinking nicely for a young Zin, with a complement of berry and toffee flavors, and a well deliniated finish. Group placement: 3/6

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  • 2002 Ridge Lytton Springs 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Slightly reduced, carmelized on the nose, with some flinty notes as well. Great notes of blueberry and vanilla. Solid, rich mouthfeel, with briary black fruit flavors. Finishes long, and drinking well right now. Group placement: 4/6.

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Flight 2 (1 Note)

The '01 was paired (randomly) with a ringer 97 Clos Du Bois Marlstone, which some thought slightly corked and eveyone felt was generally flawed.

  • 2001 Ridge Lytton Springs 94 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Nose not overpowering, rather subtle and evolving notes of blueberries, tar, and cinnamon. Powerful yet elegant, seemed more balanced than the '02. Group placement: 2/6.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

  • 2000 Ridge Lytton Springs 83 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Very odd nose of chemical orange (Sunkist?), pomegranate, and vanilla. A bit thin on the palate, and altogether uninteresting.
    Group placement: 6/6

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  • 1999 Ridge Lytton Springs 95 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Really singing this night, my WOTN and overall group winner. At first blush, some hot alchoholic notes on the nose, but that blew off to an intense mix of black currants, blueberries, smoke, and pepper. So rich on the mouth, defnitely the darkest and most brooding of the tasting. At least a decade of life left.
    Group placement: 1/6.

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

  • 1998 Ridge Lytton Springs 84 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Seemed past peak, if there ever was one. Nose was fairly muted and slightly astringent, with little obvious fruit notes. In the mouth, this was somewhat spirity. Drink up. Group placement: 5/6

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Closing

All in all, a very enjoyable tasting, which restored my faith in the 1999 as being a true classic after my last bottle was corked.

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