2018 Ridge Lytton Estate Petite Sirah [V96][WA93][W&S93][JD92][WE92] WINE

“Containing 3% Zinfandel, the 2018 Petite Sirah Lytton Estate has luscious aromas of cassis and blue fruits, turned earth, coffee and aniseed. The palate is full, concentrated and firm but offers great freshness and fruit detail in the mouth, and it finishes very long and layered. It’s approachable now if you love a big red, but it will also age well in the cellar.” 

Wine & Spirits, 93 Points 

“A few hardy Petite Sirah vines remain of the original 1901 planting at Lytton Springs; this wine comes from more recent plantings, ranging from 1987 through 2008. Their fruit takes petite sirah in a luscious direction, banishing any punishing tannins in favor of gentler spice-box notes and an underlying mineral structure. Above ground, it’s all sunny, a cacophony of blue, red and purple fruit, meaty richness and youthful energy.” 

“There are 4,600 cases of the 2018 Petite Sirah Lytton Estate. (There’s 3% Zinfandel in the blend.) This dark-fruited, ripe, smoky wine has full-bodied richness, a rounded, opulent texture, good acidity, loads of currant and chocolate blue fruits, and a great finish. It picks up a chalky minerality with time in the glass and, despite being a big, rich wine, it has a terrific sense of freshness. It’s going to evolve nicely for 10-15 years.”   

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points 

“This firm, muscular wine is one for the cellar. It matches charcoal and bitter-chocolate aromas with vivid, deep, roast blueberry, cranberry and woodsmoke flavors that will need several years to meld together with the chewy tannins.”