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  • Country ranking ?

    288
  • Producer ranking ?

    9
  • Decanting time

    4h
  • When to drink

    2028-2050
  • Food Pairing

    Roasted venison, grilled rib-eye & salty 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: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc

ALC: 13.7%

VINTAGE 2018 REPORT: December brought intense rains but they ended by January. Drenching spring storms saved the growing season. Though summer was foggy and cold, the vines received abundant sunshine and warmth that ripened the grapes by early October. Reduced pump-overs during fermentation helped moderate tannin extraction. Assembled by blind-taste,...

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

<10 tasting notes

Tasting note

color

Deep and Ruby red

ending

Long, Pure and Lingering

flavors

Blackcurrant, Mint, Cherry, Toasty, Mineral and Chocolate

nose

Youthful, Pure, Complex and Refined

taste

Average in Acidity, Balanced, Concentrated, Well-Integrated, Youthful, Full-bodied, Focused, Elegant, Fresh and Silky tannins

Verdict

Sophisticated and Fine

Written Notes

Very expressive, with warmed blueberry compote, menthol, sweet bay, steeped açaí and zesty sassafras notes all in the mix, carried by brambly grip and a cold cast iron spine. Late echo of mesquite completes this remarkably complex and vivid offering. Should be fun to watch this develop in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2042. – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 97p (August 2021)

  • 97p
Colour is ruby red and deep. On the nose it is youthful, open, pure, refined and complex. The taste is fragrant, focused, refined,robust, fresh, elegant, toasty, with silky tannins, and average in acidity, full-bodied, with concentrated, well-integrated, balanced, well-structured structure and youthful. On the palate it is layered and has chocolate, blackcurrant, spice, mineral, mint, cherry and toasty flavours. The finish is long, vibrant, pure and lingering. This wine is sophisticated and fine. Perfectly stored bottles are still very worthy and will last well for another 20-30 years and decant at least 2h before tasting.
- (Tasting note created by Tb's AI)
  • 93p
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Information

Origin

Cupertino, Santa Cruz

Grapes

17% Merlot
74% Cabernet Sauvignon
2% Cabernet Franc
7% Petit Verdot,

Drinking temperature

17-18C

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Monte Bello Merlot

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Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon

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