WTN: 2006 Ridge Lytton Springs

2006 Ridge Lytton Springs
Broad with beautiful floral aromatics, baking spices, and dense berry fruit. Dark, stiff tannins hold the whole thing together. Long tobacco finish. Classy, expansive and pretty like a typical Ridge. Is it just me, or is the Ridge profile getting sweeter? Still, a very nice classy wine.
B

[David M. Bueker]

You're drinking it quite young. There's always been a sweet fruit element, but it's balanced.

I always try them young, but put some away as well. I like the 06 better than the 05, which I didn't like much. The 2004 was quite good, but my favorite recent vintage was the 2001.

I think this is a wine that drinks well young and after some bottle aging.

I love this wine. I've drunk it young and old. But, sadly, not in a while. I think the last I had was the '97. I still remember it.

And I'm down to my last seven bottles of the '93 Monte Bello.

[David M. Bueker]

The '01 is really good. I enjoyed the 2002 and 2003 as well. The '99 is the one that is really singing for me now.

Again, for comparison:

2006 Ridge Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley, 80% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 4% Carignane, 14.7% alc., $34.99: Showing a lovely dark color, this exudes a dusty, brambly black raspberry nose accented with some subtle mocha coffee and soft lavender, all of which carries over onto the palate. Very much in a claret-like style; earthy, and not as rich, ripe or intense as I expected, nor as much as the last several vintages. Still, there is a nice core of fruit here, with good depth and structure, a silky texture and good length. Rather atypical, to say the least, but quite enjoyable for what it is.

Cheers,

geo