#1 on Hi-Time's Top White Wines from North America
STRICT 12 BOTTLE LIMIT
The Ridge portfolio is, quite simply, legendary. Their Monte Bello Cabernet-blend is coveted among the most discerning collectors and restaurants around the world and their Geyserville and Lytton Springs Zinfaldel blends receive cheers from both consumers and critics. In fact, their 2023 Lytton Springs (which we e-mailed out to our customers in October) just landed the #3 spot on this year's Wine Spectator "Top 100" list! With that said, and with a perfect 100-point score, it's their Chardonnay that earned the top spot on our own list!
The Ridge Chardonnays have become some of the finest whites produced in California's Central Coast! They combine the rich, full flavors of California Chardonnay with the freshness and minerality of the best French White Burgundies! Their organic Monte Bello Estate vineyard rests on decomposing limestone just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean and the resulting wine expresses the complexity of its origin. It is Ridge's practice to let this unique vineyard site create the wine rather than try to steer it toward a particular style in the cellar. While the wine was barrel fermented (only 15% of those barrels were new) and though it went through full malo, its refreshing acidity subdues any residual heaviness.
JEB DUNNUCK 100 POINTS - "The 2023 Chardonnay Estate is a unicorn wine, with the acids naturally occurring with ease in this cool, long, extended growing season that the wine world is rightfully excited about, producing wines of tremendous elegance and balance, sourced entirely from Monte Bello Estate. The minerality is off the charts, exuberantly defining the wine after a barrel fermentation of nine months on the lees in 85% American and 15% French oak, 15% of it new. Gorgeously lengthy and bright, winemaker John Olney recommends that for primary fruit, it's best to drink through the first 7-8 years; for fans of later-aging wines, wait 20 years. I adore this wine." - A perfect 100 points from Virginie Boone of Jeb Dunnuck.com!
STRICT 12 BOTTLE LIMIT
The Ridge portfolio is, quite simply, legendary. Their Monte Bello Cabernet-blend is coveted among the most discerning collectors and restaurants around the world and their Geyserville and Lytton Springs Zinfaldel blends receive cheers from both consumers and critics. In fact, their 2023 Lytton Springs (which we e-mailed out to our customers in October) just landed the #3 spot on this year's Wine Spectator "Top 100" list! With that said, and with a perfect 100-point score, it's their Chardonnay that earned the top spot on our own list!
The Ridge Chardonnays have become some of the finest whites produced in California's Central Coast! They combine the rich, full flavors of California Chardonnay with the freshness and minerality of the best French White Burgundies! Their organic Monte Bello Estate vineyard rests on decomposing limestone just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean and the resulting wine expresses the complexity of its origin. It is Ridge's practice to let this unique vineyard site create the wine rather than try to steer it toward a particular style in the cellar. While the wine was barrel fermented (only 15% of those barrels were new) and though it went through full malo, its refreshing acidity subdues any residual heaviness.
JEB DUNNUCK 100 POINTS - "The 2023 Chardonnay Estate is a unicorn wine, with the acids naturally occurring with ease in this cool, long, extended growing season that the wine world is rightfully excited about, producing wines of tremendous elegance and balance, sourced entirely from Monte Bello Estate. The minerality is off the charts, exuberantly defining the wine after a barrel fermentation of nine months on the lees in 85% American and 15% French oak, 15% of it new. Gorgeously lengthy and bright, winemaker John Olney recommends that for primary fruit, it's best to drink through the first 7-8 years; for fans of later-aging wines, wait 20 years. I adore this wine." - A perfect 100 points from Virginie Boone of Jeb Dunnuck.com!
