B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
Is there a more consistently excellent estate in California than Ridge Vineyards? You'd be hard-pressed to make an argument otherwise. Decades of category-defining class and substance have resulted in untold numbers of awards and accolades, so it's no surprise to see them once again at the head of the class in this set of new arrivals.
One of the most beloved wines in the Ridge stable, the Lytton Springs is a classic California old-vine field blend, based on ZInfandel that has come to set the standard for the style over decades of uninterrupted success. From Ridge's estate vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley that includes centenarian Zinfandel vines, the "fabulous" 2021 Lytton Springs is "bright and vibrant to its core" according to Galloni's 95-point review, but the wine truly hits its a new level in the 2023 rendition, due not only to its recent #3 ranking on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2025, but also to a towering 98 points from Jeb Dunnuck's new California critic, Virginie Boone.
Of course, Ridge is also renowned for delivering serious bang for the buck throughout their extensive range, and two perennial favorites are the 2020 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah and the 2023 Three Valleys. The former is a 95-point powerhouse that Antonio Galloni calls "superb ... deep and resonant." The sub-$25, double 93-point Three Valleys is a true QPR star, "generous and robust yet retaining a sense of polish." It's a no-brainer choice for an everyday red, because it delivers a level or two above that tier, yet it can be easily stacked by the case at a bargain price. |