7/2001. Bought locally, Apr-01 for $41.
My experience with American wines is shamefully limited. And when it comes to Zinfandel it is all the more so. The very few Zins I have tasted left me unimpressed, but then I think I mostly tasted lower-end stuff.
I know Ridge is a highly reputed winery [they are the ones responsible for the delicious Monte Bello, no?], and I understand Lytton Springs is a single vineyard Zinfandel that is actually a Zin-based blend.
COLOR: Pretty dark violet with some clearing around the rim.
NOSE: Profound and expressive nose where intense black forest-fruit successfully compete with no-less-intense wood tones. A fruit bomb no doubt, but complex and deep fruit bomb at that.
TASTE: Big wine on the palate. High extract of fruit over a firm structure and tough tannins. Flavorful and tasty, it is however much too young at this point. The harsh tannins do leave dryness. Good winyness with plenty of character.
LENGTH: Medium long aftertaste that is currently dominated by dry tannins.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Big, blockbuster wine. Unashamedly fruity, but with enough complexity and style to put it above the common American fruit bombs. There is enough fruit here to balance the big tannins, but I am pretty sure this wine will become more 'user friendly' in 3-5 years.
OVERALL: Very Fine. Surely one of the best Zins I have tasted.

MARK: 18/20.

BUY MORE? Yes.

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Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.