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  • Country ranking ?

    359
  • Producer ranking ?

    16
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    Now-2030
  • 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: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot 3% Cabernet Franc

ALC: 12.9%

VINTAGE 1997 REPORT: The 1997 vintage was among the most unusual of Ridge’s thirty-seven-year history with the Monte Bello Vineyard. From November through January, torrential storms brought rainfall equaling that of an entire, very wet, year. From February on, however, there was virtually no more rain. Temperatures turned mild, allowing flowering and f...

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Tasting note

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Written Notes

Deep ruby, ruby rim. Seductive nose of blackberries, cassis, violets, sweet morellos plums, and something very refined like a faint hint of some John Lobb's and the finest cigars. Almost sweet plums on the attack, quickly absorbed by a playful acidity that brings the flavors all around the mouth in such a magnificent manner, it's difficult not to fall in love. Yes, there are more intense and powerful Montebello's out there, but this bottle is just so up front and giving (after about 30 minutes of decanting). After an hour, pretty much the same. Very together and balanced, long and fruity finish, superb.
  • 95p
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Information

Origin

Cupertino, Santa Cruz

Grapes

8% Merlot
85% Cabernet Sauvignon
4% Petit Verdot
3% Cabernet Franc

Drinking temperature

17-18C

Other wines from this producer

Buchignani Ranch Zinfandel

Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard

Estate Chardonnay

Estate Merlot

Fiddletown Zinfandel

Hearts Desire Selection Zinfandel

Lytton Springs Zinfandel

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:

The Wine Advocate (May 2018): 94 Points. “The product of a generous crop and a balmy vintage, the 1997 Monte Bello continues to show beautifully, wafting from the glass with an expressive bouquet of cassis, dried cherries, menthol and loamy soil, lavishly framed by new American oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, supple and open-knit, with largely melted tannins and a generous personality, which is all tied together by the bright thread of acidity that’s such a signature of this site. Despite being seemingly fully mature, an open bottle held up beautifully over three days. Even after extensive crop thinning, yields in 1997 were around two tons per acre—high by this bottling’s modest standards—and the blend was 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, attaining 12.9% natural alcohol.” – William Kelley

Vinous Media (September 2017): 92 Points “A vintage that had big yields and a hectic harvest, the 1997 Monte Bello is a sexy, supple and layered beauty that’s drinking beautifully today. Cassis, toasted spice, cigar and dried herbs all flow nicely to a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that has solid textured, good mid-palate depth and still present tannin. I thought the tannin could be cause for concern at first, but they sweetened up with time in the glass; nevertheless, I see no need to delay gratification and would drink while the getting is good.” – Stephen Tanzer

The Wine Advocate (October 2015): 94 Points “A vintage that had big yields and a hectic harvest, the 1997 Monte Bello is a sexy, supple and layered beauty that’s drinking beautifully today. Cassis, toasted spice, cigar and dried herbs all flow nicely to a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that has solid textured, good mid-palate depth and still present tannin. I thought the tannin could be cause for concern at first, but they sweetened up with time in the glass; nevertheless, I see no need to delay gratification and would drink while the getting is good.” – Jeb Dunnuck

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