An ATP wine. The back label note, from John Olney and Paul Draper, anticipates full development between 2015 and now. As is typical, that's very conservative. It's still an opaque, dark purple in color. The tannins are mostly resolved and red fruits - plum ?- are showing nicely. Not as "spicy" as I expected, this is rich and full bodied. Drinking very nicely now, and I wouldn't be in a hurry to drink if I had another bottle.
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Served with sautéed Wagyu prime ribeye, mashed potatoes, carrots. Decanted 30 minutes before serving. Very fine sediment at bottom of bottles. Look: nice ruby, some bricking at the rim. Nose: dark fruit, smoke, wood. Taste: balance of fruit and acid, moderated tannin. Flavor was more restrained than expected, but still nice.
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The nose was intense with ripe blackberry, candied cherry, orange peel, ash and a hint of sweet vanilla. On the palate it glided effortlessly across the senses with a dark shroud of sweet black fruits and spice. A hint of alcohol came forward on the finish but didn't detract from the experience, instead it provided a hot entrance to the long lasting flavors of blackberry extract and spice. This wine was decedent, balanced and perfectly mature.
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Decanted for an hour. Notes pretty consistent with previous bottle but acidity and tart raspberry flavors have subdued some. Tannins seemed a bit more front-loaded but still quite balanced. Structurally, still has a few years to go but really enjoyable!
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Pop and pour and delicious right out of the bottle. Not much experience with petit syrah, but this one was light on its feet while offering a prominent fruit profile.
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Brown Bag Wine Dinner at Two Chefs-III(Double Blind); 2/21/2012-2/22/2012: - Violet color with fast forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of chocolate with a full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish - John's wine.dark brooding black fruit flavors. Unfortunately the first poured Red wine, should have been last. WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO IMPROVE THE PRIORITIZATION OF THE THE RED WINES TASTED!!!
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This was decanted for only about 10 minutes, but certainly could have used a bit more. The nose was nice and full with blackberry, dark cherry, cocoa and an apparent tartness like pureed raspberries. The flavors were similar with an added very mild tobacco flavor. The acidity carried the tart raspberry smells into the flavor profile and the tannin structure was just a blanket that covered the entire palate. The wine ended very smoothly and with an extremely long finish, but did leave a chewy/ dry mouthfeel. This one will last at least another few years, but this is nearly a perfect balance currently for my preferences.
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(77% Lytton Springs Petite Sirah, 23% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, bottled November 2005. 34 Barrels produced.) Pulled from cellar where the wine lain since purchase. Drank w/o decanting. Good ullage and complete cork. Very dark color – certainly darker than expected. A really deep rich red color - quite young looking. Wine also has a fair amount of glycerin given the sustained legs on the inside of the glass, which further confirms that this is a big wine. Very full nose of rich black raspberry, dark plum and chocolate; all quite yummy. This wine also revealed a slight dusty element initially, but this seems to have dissipated since opening.
Sweet round flavors of black raspberry and blueberry are apparent right up front in the mouth. Flavors are warm and rich, but not hot or stewed. Tastes like one is eating a juicy dark plum on a hot summer's day. Finish is dry and rich, and has a bit of that fleshy tannin reminiscent of plum skin. A lovely wine, which is a perfect match with a beef roast or - better yet – paired with smoked barbeque pork along with a tangy sauce. This wine reaffirms my belief that Petite Sirah and some Zinfandels are the perfect varietals for barbeque. At 14.6%, this wine is high in alcohol.
Back of label notes: “…The combination of varietals and site is close to ideal, resulting in a wine whose aroma, textures, and flavor are uniquely “true to place.” Balanced and only beginning to soften, this Lytton Estate will clearly benefit from bottle age. It will develop fully over the next ten to fifteen years.” The synergy of this wine is lovely; I wish I had more to discover how it changes with years of development.
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Another Ridge extravaganza with Lee and Lisa - on the night opened and enjoyed four bottles: '05 Ridge Lytton West Syrah, '05 Syrah/Grenache, '03 Petite Sirah, Lytton Estate and '02 Lytton Estate Syrah II. Enjoyed all with the '03 Petite Sirah and '02 Syrah II being judged the favorites.
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Black purple. Big dark fruit & alch on the nose. Waves of jammy black fruit in the palate, big tannin and big acid lurking. Becomes a bit astrigent for a while. Next day better, fruit is sweet rich has depth and acid and tannins are in check. This either goes +2 over the years or becomes un balanced. As always interesting wine making.
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7/6/2020 - scottj Likes this wine: 90 Points
An ATP wine. The back label note, from John Olney and Paul Draper, anticipates full development between 2015 and now. As is typical, that's very conservative. It's still an opaque, dark purple in color. The tannins are mostly resolved and red fruits - plum ?- are showing nicely. Not as "spicy" as I expected, this is rich and full bodied. Drinking very nicely now, and I wouldn't be in a hurry to drink if I had another bottle.
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12/24/2018 - bjschmitt Likes this wine: 91 Points
Served with sautéed Wagyu prime ribeye, mashed potatoes, carrots.
Decanted 30 minutes before serving. Very fine sediment at bottom of bottles.
Look: nice ruby, some bricking at the rim.
Nose: dark fruit, smoke, wood.
Taste: balance of fruit and acid, moderated tannin.
Flavor was more restrained than expected, but still nice.
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7/4/2018 - winemaker Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really good. Mature. Ready to go. Sweet and spicy fruit. Tannins are still there, but not overwhelming.
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2/17/2016 - dmitchell4 wrote: 94 Points
Drinking beautifully, everything I look for in a Petite Syrah
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1/9/2016 - WineCPA wrote: 95 Points
Core of dark fruit. Smooth tannins with some air. Outstanding & drinking in its prime. Drink now.
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2/9/2014 - Jscalia Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice. Intense, oaky nose. Muted fruit. Smoky finish. The zinfandel in the blend is very pronounced.
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1/20/2014 - moxielady wrote:
This one was corked. Very sad!
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11/28/2013 - jrlamia wrote: 87 Points
May have been past it's prime. Muted mature dark fruit, cocoa flavors.
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7/18/2013 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 91 Points
The nose was intense with ripe blackberry, candied cherry, orange peel, ash and a hint of sweet vanilla. On the palate it glided effortlessly across the senses with a dark shroud of sweet black fruits and spice. A hint of alcohol came forward on the finish but didn't detract from the experience, instead it provided a hot entrance to the long lasting flavors of blackberry extract and spice. This wine was decedent, balanced and perfectly mature.
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9/15/2012 - Dive Shark wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for an hour. Notes pretty consistent with previous bottle but acidity and tart raspberry flavors have subdued some. Tannins seemed a bit more front-loaded but still quite balanced. Structurally, still has a few years to go but really enjoyable!
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8/30/2012 - lolo66 wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour and delicious right out of the bottle. Not much experience with petit syrah, but this one was light on its feet while offering a prominent fruit profile.
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8/10/2012 - Harddriv wrote: 91 Points
Terrific, bold fruit, well balanced. A nice surprise.
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2/22/2012 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Brown Bag Wine Dinner at Two Chefs-III(Double Blind); 2/21/2012-2/22/2012: - Violet color with fast forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of chocolate with a full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish - John's wine.dark brooding black fruit flavors. Unfortunately the first poured Red wine, should have been last. WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO IMPROVE THE PRIORITIZATION OF THE THE RED WINES TASTED!!!
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6/18/2011 - Dive Shark wrote: 97 Points
This was decanted for only about 10 minutes, but certainly could have used a bit more. The nose was nice and full with blackberry, dark cherry, cocoa and an apparent tartness like pureed raspberries. The flavors were similar with an added very mild tobacco flavor. The acidity carried the tart raspberry smells into the flavor profile and the tannin structure was just a blanket that covered the entire palate. The wine ended very smoothly and with an extremely long finish, but did leave a chewy/ dry mouthfeel. This one will last at least another few years, but this is nearly a perfect balance currently for my preferences.
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3/2/2010 - John Dunlap wrote: 92 Points
(77% Lytton Springs Petite Sirah, 23% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, bottled November 2005. 34 Barrels produced.) Pulled from cellar where the wine lain since purchase. Drank w/o decanting. Good ullage and complete cork. Very dark color – certainly darker than expected. A really deep rich red color - quite young looking. Wine also has a fair amount of glycerin given the sustained legs on the inside of the glass, which further confirms that this is a big wine. Very full nose of rich black raspberry, dark plum and chocolate; all quite yummy. This wine also revealed a slight dusty element initially, but this seems to have dissipated since opening.
Sweet round flavors of black raspberry and blueberry are apparent right up front in the mouth. Flavors are warm and rich, but not hot or stewed. Tastes like one is eating a juicy dark plum on a hot summer's day. Finish is dry and rich, and has a bit of that fleshy tannin reminiscent of plum skin. A lovely wine, which is a perfect match with a beef roast or - better yet – paired with smoked barbeque pork along with a tangy sauce. This wine reaffirms my belief that Petite Sirah and some Zinfandels are the perfect varietals for barbeque. At 14.6%, this wine is high in alcohol.
Back of label notes: “…The combination of varietals and site is close to ideal, resulting in a wine whose aroma, textures, and flavor are uniquely “true to place.” Balanced and only beginning to soften, this Lytton Estate will clearly benefit from bottle age. It will develop fully over the next ten to fifteen years.” The synergy of this wine is lovely; I wish I had more to discover how it changes with years of development.
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1/16/2010 - eastover wrote:
Another Ridge extravaganza with Lee and Lisa - on the night opened and enjoyed four bottles: '05 Ridge Lytton West Syrah, '05 Syrah/Grenache, '03 Petite Sirah, Lytton Estate and '02 Lytton Estate Syrah II. Enjoyed all with the '03 Petite Sirah and '02 Syrah II being judged the favorites.
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12/25/2009 - VinoPKM wrote: 92 Points
A very tasty Ridge PS!!! The Zin lends a little jam- but not in a bad way. Big black fruits and smooth tannins. Drinking very good. Highly recommend.
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11/20/2009 - VinoPKM wrote: flawed
Corked!!!
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10/12/2009 - dyuhas wrote: 90 Points
Fruity with smooth tannins and barely noticeable oak.
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5/17/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 89 Points
Black purple. Big dark fruit & alch on the nose. Waves of jammy black fruit in the palate, big tannin and big acid lurking. Becomes a bit astrigent for a while. Next day better, fruit is sweet rich has depth and acid and tannins are in check. This either goes +2 over the years or becomes un balanced. As always interesting wine making.
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12/9/2008 - JDRFoster wrote: 90 Points
Full-bodied, with tannins that need some air time to soften. Bright fruit emerges, with jammy undertones added by the zinfandel in the blend.
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