Opaque purple-ruby color. Ripe blackberry fruit, barrel spice, anise, violets, and crushed limestone. Opulent mountain fruit entry, firm acid, and fine-grain, age-worthy tannins. Powerful complexity and tremendous length to the finish.
100 POINTS VINOUS
96/98+ POINTS WINE ADVOCATE
96 POINTS WINE SPECTATOR
Monte Bello has often been called America’s First Growth, as it is the finest domestic example of a classic Bordeaux blend in which cabernet sauvignon predominates. Exhaustive tasting of test blends during the assemblage process determines how much, if any, merlot, petit verdot, or cabernet franc will be included in the finished wine. Each grape variety makes a contribution to the flavor and structure of the wine — with cabernet sauvignon often showing cassis and adding tannin, merlot giving plum character and a bit of softness, petit verdot contributing dark color and earthiness, and cabernet franc adding fragrance and a hint of spice. Each vintage is different, but year after year Monte Bello proves to be a consistently outstanding wine with great structure, complexity, and balance. And, in terms of ageability, it has been known to lay down for several decades with elegance and ease.
Wines have been made from vines planted on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains for over 100 years: it was a spot that was immediately noted for its potential by winemaking pioneers.
It was in 1976, however, that Ridge Vineyards was shot into the limelight with the 1971 Monte Bello, made by legendary winemaker Paul Draper, placing fifth in the Judgement of Paris tasting. Paul has since retired, but his philosophy of low-intervention, organic winemaking continues under Eric Baugher, ensuring the wines continue to express tons of character: they’re some of the most expressive wines we know. Over the years, Ridge have stayed true to their pioneering, individual style of Californian Cabernet: personifying elegance and restraint.
Maturation: Skin Comntact 22 days Barrel 19 months in new French oak
