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  • Country ranking ?

    349
  • Producer ranking ?

    15
  • Decanting time

    3h
  • When to drink

    2025-2045
  • Food Pairing

    Grilled Entrecôte, roasted lamb & salty hard cheeses

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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, 28% Merlot

ALC: 13.3%

VINTAGE 2008 REPORT: Winter was short; two storms provided the season’s rainfall. In April, a late frost delayed the season. Temperatures soared in May and the vines set a modest crop. Natural malolactics finished in December, the majority in barrel on the lees. In January, seventeen cabernets and four merlots were combined; in May we added a structured cabernet and an elegant merlot. ...

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

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Written Notes

The 2008 is tightly packed with vivid fig, currant and blackberry fruit while a spice thread and light singed wood hint add lift and cut throughout. This has hit a really engaging phase as it starts to shed its youthful exuberance ever so slightly. – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 95p (June 2019)

  • 95p
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Information

Origin

Cupertino, Santa Cruz

Grapes

28% Merlot
72% Cabernet Sauvignon

Drinking temperature

17-18C

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