Wine Article
2005 Ridge Grenache Lytton Estate
Last edited on 4/16/2011 by NuTricks
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bottled May 2007, 46 barrels produced
88% grenache, 6% petite sirah, 6% zinfandel
History
Ridge became involved with grenache quite by accident when, in 1972, we first harvested the vines on the eastern hills of Lytton Springs. Though we didn't know it then, one of the hills planted in 1902 had a high percentage of grenache, interplanted with small amounts of zinfandel and petite sirah. We purchased the eastern vineyards in 1991, and identified the varietal percentages in each parcel; in 1992, those old mixed vines produced our first Grenache/Zinfandel. Ridge bought Lytton Springs' western vineyards in 1995, acquiring a mixed grenache block planted in 1963, and a pure grenache block planted in 1991. With this amount and quality to select from, in most years we can now make a wine dominated by the varietal.
Vintage
Harvest Dates: 16 September - 1 October
Grapes: Average Brix: 24.9 degrees
Fermentation: No inoculation. Natural primary and secondary. Pressed at thirteen days. Each fermentors press wine was held out.
Barrels: 100% air-dried american oak (60% new one year old, 40% three to five years old)
Aging: Eighteen months in barrel
Growing Season
Rainfall: 60 inches, above normal
Bloom: Early May
Weather: A cool wet spring and warm, dry summer
88% grenache, 6% petite sirah, 6% zinfandel
History
Ridge became involved with grenache quite by accident when, in 1972, we first harvested the vines on the eastern hills of Lytton Springs. Though we didn't know it then, one of the hills planted in 1902 had a high percentage of grenache, interplanted with small amounts of zinfandel and petite sirah. We purchased the eastern vineyards in 1991, and identified the varietal percentages in each parcel; in 1992, those old mixed vines produced our first Grenache/Zinfandel. Ridge bought Lytton Springs' western vineyards in 1995, acquiring a mixed grenache block planted in 1963, and a pure grenache block planted in 1991. With this amount and quality to select from, in most years we can now make a wine dominated by the varietal.
Vintage
Harvest Dates: 16 September - 1 October
Grapes: Average Brix: 24.9 degrees
Fermentation: No inoculation. Natural primary and secondary. Pressed at thirteen days. Each fermentors press wine was held out.
Barrels: 100% air-dried american oak (60% new one year old, 40% three to five years old)
Aging: Eighteen months in barrel
Growing Season
Rainfall: 60 inches, above normal
Bloom: Early May
Weather: A cool wet spring and warm, dry summer