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  • Country ranking ?

    432
  • Producer ranking ?

    28
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    Now-2030
  • Food Pairing

    Beef Tenderloin & Roasted venison fillet

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The Story

In 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the first Monte Bello vineyards were planted, and winery construction begun. A first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; some vines survived into the late 30s, but by the 1940s they were effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (...

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Wine Information

BLEND: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

ALC: 13%

VINTAGE 1999 REPORT: Vintage 1998 set a record: the growing season started, and ended, later than any in Ridge history. For 1999, we expected a return to something resembling normal. But a cold, rainy winter set the stage, and April continued cool. We realized we might be late again. Despite a moderate May, cold rains in early June delayed flowering; o...

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

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Written Notes

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. In most California vineyards, yields were cut by a cold, rainy spring. At Monte Bello, where it was colder still, flowering and set were put on hold. When summer finally came, the clement weather allowed a perfect set. Even after severe thinning, yields were two and a half tons per acre, equalling 1997's record. We harvested the separate parcels from the end of October through mid-November, as they ripened. In this vintage, fermentations destined for in-barrel malolactic were started with selected yeast; the rest – including all malolactics – were natural. 93% of the wine was racked to air-dried American oak and – as part of our ongoing comparison – 7% to the best French oak. In February, we chose 23 of the 36 parcels for the Monte Bello. 
Fragrant, perfumed, fresh and cedary, still so fragrant and youthful on the nose. More Bordeaux-like than the other two vintages tasted. Rich, deep and so complex but without loss of freshness. Again some minerality and cedary damson sweetness of fruit still there. Long and remarkably fresh. Holds your attention. (JH) 

  • 93p
Medium intense, ruby red colour. Pronounced, perfumey nose with ripe blackcurrants, cedar, smoke and tobacco. Medium-bodied, moderate acidity, supple tannins, vivid and fresh palate. Restrained fruitiness with black currants and brambles. Tar and smoky flavours in aftertaste. Elegant, refined yet restrained in style.
  • 89p
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Information

Origin

Cupertino, Santa Cruz

Grapes

25% Merlot
72% Cabernet Sauvignon
1% Petit Verdot
2% Cabernet Franc

Drinking temperature

17-18C

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Monte Bello Merlot

Pagani Ranch Zinfandel

Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Ridge Geyserville

Ridge Mataro Bridgehead

Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon

Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay

Ridge York Creek Zinfandel

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

Syrah Lytton Estate

Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard

Inside Information

PRESS:

Vinous Media: 94 Points “The 1999 Monte Bello is gorgeous wine for current drinking, as all the elements have melded together nicely with the passage of time. Cedar, smoke, leather and dried herbs give the 1999 wonderful aromatic presence. Overall, though, I find the wine’s sheer depth to be really impressive. Moreover, the 1999 is aging very gracefully.” – Antonio Galloni (October 2019)

 

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