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  • Country ranking ?

    461
  • Producer ranking ?

    33
  • Decanting time

    1h
  • When to drink

    Now

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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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Latest Pro-tasting notes

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Written Notes

We went from one Napa Valley legend to another, that other being the 1968 Ridge Monte Bello.  I suffered through a touch of glass issues but moved forward to find an extraordinary wine that had a lot of fresh field to it along with that super sexy Cali Cab fruit.  It was rich and grapy with smoky coffee flavors.  Superbly elegant, its great smoke and great fruit carried it to outstanding status (96). 

  • 96p

First bottle corked. Quite tough still but from another era. Lots of acidity. An historic liquid rather than a great pleasure. Sweet and fresh.

  • 86p
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Information

Origin

Cupertino, Santa Cruz

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