Tried thiis last night w/ dinner:
1. Ridge Zin Calif LyttonEast/DryCreekVlly (76% Zin/18% PS/6% Carignane; 15.1%; 54 brls; Bttld: 3/05; 1 ton/acre; Drk: 1/05-1/10-1/15: PD) 2003: Very dark color w/ slight bricking; very strong classic DCV/very spicy/raspberry/blackberry/Zin light licorice/pomengranate/chocolaty some vanilla/smokey/oak bit hot/alcoholic bit complex nose; soft bit hot/alcoholic very strong blackberry/raspberry/Zin/very spicy rather dusty/OV some vanilla/smokey/oak flavor w/ some astringent/dry-out tannins; very long bit hot/alcoholic very strong blackberry/raspberry/Zin/dusty/OV some smokey/vanilla/oak classic Ridge Zin some complex finish w/ some dried-out tannins; a lovely classic LS nose but a bit fumey & drying out some on the palate; drink up.
________________________
A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. This ATP wine was a pretty classic example of LS, but not as good as I recall the regular LS as being. The LyttonEast vnyd is the oldest part of Lytton. LyttonWest has the younger plantings. The alcohol showed thru on this wine, but it didn't seem to be on the overripe/pruney side. Very good Zin but I don't see it getting any better by 2015.
Tom