My new Ridge Z-List shipment arrived last week & I wanted to try the LyttonSprings '15, so pulled a '14 to compare:
1. Ridge LyttonSprings DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty (74% Zin/16% PS/8% Carignane/2% Mataro; 14.5%; bttld January 2017; Drk: 11/16-11/26: JO) 2015: Dark color; very strong blaclberry/raspberry/Zin/very spicy classic DCV Zin very dusty/OV very light vanilla/Am.oak/toasty beautiful/aromatic perfumed nose; tart very/very spicy blackberry/Zin/raspberry bright/vibrant quite dusty/OV light toasty/Am.oak very structured some RRV/blackberry/boysenberry/ripe Zin balanced/svelte flavor w/ modest smooth/ripe tannins; very long/lingering very strong blackberry/Zin/raspberry/classic DCV Zin very spicy quite dusty/OV modest vanilla/oak quite structured bit complex finish w/ modest ripe/smooth tannins; another beautiful LS Zin w/ lots of high-toned character. $36.00 (Z-List)
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2. Ridge LyttonSprings DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty (69% Zin/18% PS/11% Carignane; 14.4%; bttld Jan 2016; Drk:
9/15-9/25: JO) 2014: Very dark/near black color; strong toasty/smokey/vanilla/Am.oak strong ripe/blackberry/boysenberry/Zin/very spicy some dusty/OV light earthy quite aromatic beautiful bit complex nose; lightly tart/tangy very spicy/blackberry/boysenberry/Zin light toasty/smokey/vanilla/Am.oak rather structured bit angular/hard beautiful flavor w/ light ripe/bit hard tannins; very long/lingering some toasty/vanilla/Am.oak ripe blackberry/boysenberry/Zin/very spicy fairly dusty/OV finish w/ firm/ample ripe/bit angular tannins; seems more hard & angular and less high-toned than the '15; another beautiful LS Zin. $40.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. An interesting comparison. The '15 had more high-toned aromatics and seemed more classic DCV Zin in character. The '14 was more RRV-like Zin w/ riper fruit and more bass notes. It was somewhat harder/angular and more structured than the '15, but that may just be the place it's in right now.
So which is better: the '15 or the '14?? Don't ask me...I haven't a clue. But both are beautiful examples of LyttonSprings Zin that show that very special spiciness you get from LS.
Tom