Robert Parker, Jr. - The Wine Advocate:  Rated as An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. "Striking, intense black cherry and blackberry fruit with some spice and earth jump from the glass of the 2008 Lytton Springs, a blend of 74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, and 5% Carignan. Dark ruby with a nice tannic overlay, the wine was aged 15 months in American oak. Spicy, impressively rich, with good acids and loads of concentration, this is a beauty to drink over the next 5-7 years." Feb 2011

Connoisseurs' Guide:  Rated as A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable. "Ripe, but not overly so, and carefully crafted with a certain claret-like polish that is the Ridge signature, this year's Lytton Springs bottling is a deep, very well-focused wine that keys on varietal berries with complexing notes of dusty and dry spice lending a little more range than everyday Zinfandel gets. It is nicely balanced with a fine spine of tannins for grip but maintains its sense of finesse and composure right to the end, and, if not so astringent that it cannot be enjoyed now, it is built to get better for several years and will hold for many more."

Winery:   "Ripe nose of raspberry, plum, pepper and chapparal. Blackberry, mineral and vanilla notes dominate the palate. Well integrated tannins typical of this classic vineyard add to the long finish."

Wired For Wine:  "Striking, intense and impressively rich."  We can't wait for you to try this Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel Blend...  The lovely dark fruit and spice of this Lytton Springs will kick off the meal beautifully with a platter of pulled pork sliders with a sweet Chipotle barbecue sauce.  Yee-hah!  As for the entree, the gorgeous concentration and composure of this California red will go delightfully with braised lamb shanks and red onion preserves.  If it's the fruit you would like to showcase, then we recommend duck breast with a dried cherry/lavender/red wine/honey sauce.  Make sure the portions are generous!!  And finally, the "fine spine of tannins" and the pepper of this Zinfandel Blend could not be better suited to a grilled rib-eye au poivre.  Take a moment and then continue to pay homage to the intensity of this stunning Ridge when you refill the glasses and enjoy them with a potent Stilton cheese and some crusty peasant bread.  A beauty indeed...

Size:  750ml, cork
Varietal:  71% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignane
Alcohol:  14.4%
Ageing:    15 months in 100% air-dried American oak barrels (20% new; 55% one, two and three years old; 25% four and five years old)
Region:  Sonoma, North Coast, California