Wine Notes
The Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, their signature Cabernet Sauvignon, did well at the 1976 tasting and even better when revisited for several anniversary tastings decades later. This makes the 2017 a very young offering but is a very highly rated vintage and one that should last a good while. A full bodied, classic Californian Bordeuax blend, it has good balance and depth of flavour that should evolve over the next decade and more.
Producer Notes
Ridge Vineyards was established in the Santa Cruz mountains in California back in the 1960’s. The original vineyards are still used to produce the famous Cabernet heavy field blend, Monte Bello, which, since 1975 has included varying amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Their Chardonnay, also called Monte Bello, is a classic Californian wine made in the old world style. The wines are left unfiltered and matured in American oak.
They also have vineyards in Sonoma County, Lytton Springs and Geyserville, where their single vineyard Zinfandel blends are produced. These blends have gained them as much notoriety in the US as their Cabernet and Chardonnay but are less common in the UK.
Vintage Notes
2017 was an average vintage in California
Other wines from Ridge Vineyards
2012 ‘Geyserville’ Sonoma County Red: £98
2015 Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains: £260
Our rating –