The first Lytton Springs was made in 1972 from vines planted at the turn of the century on the eastern half of the vineyard. The vineyard is planted to Zinfandel and complementary varietals on gravelly clay soil.

The wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, and Mataro (Mourvedre). Grapes are sustainably grown, hand harvested, destemmed and crushed, fermented on the native yeasts, and followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria.

On the nose are aromas of ripe blackberry, pepper, licorice and a hint of vanilla. There is concentrated plum and black cherry fruit on the palate with supple tannins, minerality and balanced acidity. The finish is long and layered with notes of ripe fig and dried herbs.

The 2021 Ridge Lytton Springs Proprietary Red Wine is a standout example of a well-crafted California red blend. Produced by Ridge in the Sonoma appellation of the North Coast region, this wine is a proprietary blend predominantly composed of 72% Zinfandel, with Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet, Cinsault, and Counoise adding complexity and depth. This vintage is bottled with a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 14.3%.

Reviewers have praised this wine for its balance and potential for aging. Antonio Galloni of Vinous awarded it an impressive 95 points, noting its "bright and vibrant" nature and highlighting the "salivating acids and veins of tannin" that provide structure and persistence. Galloni further described the wine as needing time to fully develop, with flavors of "red cherry fruit, blood orange, rose petal, and sage" lingering on the finish.

Wine Spectator's reviewer, T.F., gave the 2021 Lytton Springs a score of 93, pointing out its "robust and rustic" character. The review emphasizes the wine's deep flavors of "blackberry, savory anise, and black pepper," which are balanced by "broad-shouldered tannins." T.F. suggests that the wine will be best enjoyed from 2025 through 2033, indicating its strong aging potential.

Jeb Dunnuck also scored the wine 93 points, describing it as "juicy, lively, and medium-bodied." He praises the wine's "red and blue fruits, some peppery, herbal, spicy nuances, lots of floral character, and ripe, polished tannins." Dunnuck commends the wine for its "fresher, focused, elegant profile" and "purity of fruit," predicting it will evolve beautifully over the next 10-12 years.

In summary, the 2021 Ridge Lytton Springs Proprietary Red Wine is a vibrant and complex blend that has garnered high praise from multiple reviewers. Its robust flavors, balanced structure, and aging potential make it a noteworthy choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.