1999 Ridge Zinfandel Lytton Springs

In the context of this vertical, the 1999 Lytton Springs represents a distinct shift in style from earlier vintages and shows more Brettanomyces character. New winemaker Shauna Rosenblum notes that because fermentations are not inoculated and the wines are not sterile-filtered, "Brettanomyces can be part of the native culture.” However, longtime winemaker John Olney also notes that 2003 was the first vintage of Lytton Springs crafted entirely in Sonoma County. Before that, the wine was crafted at the old Monte Bello winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Olney recalls 1999 as “a nail-biter like 2011 and 2023.” A cool summer led to a very late harvest. “The wine has a lot of acidity,” Olney says. “To me, it doesn’t taste like a 25-year-old wine, and it’s been in this space for about 10 years. When these wines get on a plateau, they tend to stay there a long time.” Vibrant garnet in color, the 1999 Lytton Springs is a blend of 70% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane and 3% Mataro. It maintains kirsch aromas on the nose and unfurls mature wafts of saddle leather, old tobacco, mossy bark and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate is soft and supple with rounded acidity, a surprisingly deep core of red cherry fruit and a long, pleasantly tertiary finish.