California Cabernet could not have reached its current lofty status without the hard work and determination of several wine pioneers. Wineries such as Heitz, Chateau Montelena, and Stag's Leap still highly-regarded today by serious collectors and connoisseurs. In addition, there has been one Cabernet producer out of the Santa Cruz Mountains that makes wine as monumental today as they did over 50 years ago; that winery is Ridge Vineyards!
In 1962, Ridge made its first Monte Bello bottling, and has championed single-vineyard winemaking ever since. Ridge makes age worthy wine with the ability to last half a century! In fact, we cracked open a bottle of the 1974 Monte Bello Merlot just a few years ago, and it still had lots of life left to it! Located high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains, just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, underlain by decomposing limestone and Franciscan rock, this property produces a wine unlike any other. It's low yields (less than two tons per acre) is capable of creating a wine of great significance, depth, complexity, and aging potential. Ridge is committed to sustainable winegrowing and they farm their vineyards organically. Ridge is one of the largest growers of organically certified grapes in Sonoma County and in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.
The Ridge Cabernets from Monte Bello are coveted by collectors with the pickiest of palates, and sought after by those of us in the industry. The flagship Monte Bello bottling comes in and goes out within one week, and sells for hundreds of dollars. But this wine...this comes from the same Monte Bello vineyard, and is comprised of age worthy yet approachable lots so that it may be enjoyed now. Comprised of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, the wine was aged in air-dried American oak barrels for 22 months.
When the 2022 landed in the store, we couldn't wait to pop open a bottle. With just half an hour of air, the aromas and flavors began to explode! The wine has a saturated purple hue, with aromas of black cherry, blueberry, cola, dried herbs, cedar, juniper berry and sweet oak. Medium- to full-bodied with rich textures that coat the entire palate, flavors of red and black fruits and exotic spice with layers of gravelly and mineral notes linger on the long and complex finish.
If you enjoy full-flavored yet classically-styled Cabernets, then you should jump on this wine while you have the chance!
JEB DUNNUCK 97 POINTS - "Set in the Santa Cruz Mountains with a second winery and vineyard acreage in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley called Lytton Springs, Ridge made its first Monte Bello in 1962 (the Monte Bello Vineyard dates back to 1885) and is devoted to single-vineyard winemaking, what it calls 'pre-industrial winemaking,' organic and sustainable farming, and full transparency; it is one of the few wineries to list ingredients on its back labels."
"Blending 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot, and lovingly referred to as Baby Monte Bello, designated as Monte Bello since the 2008 vintage, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Monte Bello Vineyard is known for its weightlessness, made to be approachable in its youth with great intention. Barrel-aged for 17 months in 50-60% new oak to integrate and soften the tannins, it still has another 15-20 years of aging, if not 25."
In 1962, Ridge made its first Monte Bello bottling, and has championed single-vineyard winemaking ever since. Ridge makes age worthy wine with the ability to last half a century! In fact, we cracked open a bottle of the 1974 Monte Bello Merlot just a few years ago, and it still had lots of life left to it! Located high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains, just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, underlain by decomposing limestone and Franciscan rock, this property produces a wine unlike any other. It's low yields (less than two tons per acre) is capable of creating a wine of great significance, depth, complexity, and aging potential. Ridge is committed to sustainable winegrowing and they farm their vineyards organically. Ridge is one of the largest growers of organically certified grapes in Sonoma County and in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.
The Ridge Cabernets from Monte Bello are coveted by collectors with the pickiest of palates, and sought after by those of us in the industry. The flagship Monte Bello bottling comes in and goes out within one week, and sells for hundreds of dollars. But this wine...this comes from the same Monte Bello vineyard, and is comprised of age worthy yet approachable lots so that it may be enjoyed now. Comprised of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, the wine was aged in air-dried American oak barrels for 22 months.
When the 2022 landed in the store, we couldn't wait to pop open a bottle. With just half an hour of air, the aromas and flavors began to explode! The wine has a saturated purple hue, with aromas of black cherry, blueberry, cola, dried herbs, cedar, juniper berry and sweet oak. Medium- to full-bodied with rich textures that coat the entire palate, flavors of red and black fruits and exotic spice with layers of gravelly and mineral notes linger on the long and complex finish.
If you enjoy full-flavored yet classically-styled Cabernets, then you should jump on this wine while you have the chance!
JEB DUNNUCK 97 POINTS - "Set in the Santa Cruz Mountains with a second winery and vineyard acreage in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley called Lytton Springs, Ridge made its first Monte Bello in 1962 (the Monte Bello Vineyard dates back to 1885) and is devoted to single-vineyard winemaking, what it calls 'pre-industrial winemaking,' organic and sustainable farming, and full transparency; it is one of the few wineries to list ingredients on its back labels."
"Blending 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot, and lovingly referred to as Baby Monte Bello, designated as Monte Bello since the 2008 vintage, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Monte Bello Vineyard is known for its weightlessness, made to be approachable in its youth with great intention. Barrel-aged for 17 months in 50-60% new oak to integrate and soften the tannins, it still has another 15-20 years of aging, if not 25."
