Fine
92p
94 Tb points
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Wine Description
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 (...
Wine Information
BLEND: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
ALC: 13.2%
WINE 2004 REPORT:
Rainfall: 26 inches (below normal)
Bloom: April
Weather: Warm March, cool April, moderate summer.
138 tons from 108 acres. Winter rains were scarce this year, and total rainfall down twenty-five percent. Budbreak came early, but bloom was late, delayed by cold April weather. Having set a small crop for the third consecu...
Vintage 2004
Early bud break led to one of the earliest harvests in memory
In 2004, bud break occurred earlier than many vintners could remember, and the trend carried forward throughout the growing season. Heat spikes happened in June and at scattered intervals throughout the summer season. Grapes completed veraison early and ripeness with well-developed sugars in all varieties was realized early. Growers held on as acid balance eventually caught up. T...
