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  • Country ranking ?

    300
  • Producer ranking ?

    11
  • Decanting time

    30min
  • When to drink

    Now
  • Food Pairing

    Grilled lamb chops & Roasted duck

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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: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot

ALC: 13.1%

VINTAGE 1985 REPORT: The ten distinct blocks of the Monte Bello Vineyard are made separately. After secondary fermentation, we begin a series of blind tastings to determine which are of the quality and character we require for our estate wine. In 1985, 45% of the production was not included in the Monte Bello. (These softer wines will be released as Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet.) In th...

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

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Written Notes

The previous year had been very difficult in Napa because of the intense heat before ripening which led to shut down. So it was desiccation instead of ripening in 1984 in Napa, but 1985 was really classic.
Ripe and then graphite. Really tense and mineral. Fresh and really exciting. Sumptuous but very particular. 

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Information

Origin

Cupertino, Santa Cruz

Grapes

7% Merlot
93% Cabernet Sauvignon

Drinking temperature

17-18C

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