x
  • Country ranking ?

    494
  • Producer ranking ?

    42
  • Decanting time

    45min
  • When to drink

    Now

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

Wine Information

History

In 1949 William Short, retired theologian and then-owner of the Ridge "middle" vineyard (2070' - 2390'), planted several acres of chardonnay, which provided the 1962 estate Monte Bello Chardonnay for the Ridge partners' first vintage. From 1962 to 1984, limited amounts of chardonnay were produced each year under the Monte Bello designation.

By 1985, younger, replanted vines had begun to supplant the older vines, whose yields had...

Close

Latest Pro-tasting notes

<10 tasting notes

Tasting note

color

Medium, Yellow and Bright

ending

Long, Spicy and Metallic

flavors

Vanilla, Toasty, Smoky, New-oak, Buttery and Citrus

nose

Open, Complex and Rich

taste

Low in Acidity, Warming, Medium-bodied, Toasty and Dry

Written Notes

The grapes were whole-cluster pressed in separate lots. Juice was aerated by pumping over, oxidising it sufficiently to reduce the yellow pigments that produce broader, less defined wine. With the lees in solution, the wine was transferred to barrels for fermentation and ageing. To emphasise fruit, new oak was kept to a minimum; one- and two-year-old barrels – half French, half American – predominate. Primary fermentation finished by early January, and a natural malolactic extended over the following six months. As usual, the lees were stirred once a week throughout that period. In June, fermentations over, we tasted all lots, choosing the ones to be blended into the Monte Bello. In August these were racked and assembled, then returned to tank and barrel for extended settling. We bottled six months later, without filtration. 
Charry struck match and surprisingly reductive. Smoky and strongly flinty and mineral. Very fresh with intense sweetness of fruit even though the fruit is no longer primary, and this arresting mineral char and a sour almost salty aftertaste. Long, moreish and savoury on the finish. With time in glass: a hint of curry like the leaves of the curry plant.  (JH) 

  • 91p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

Cupertino, Santa Cruz

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

Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon

Ridge York Creek Zinfandel

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

Syrah Lytton Estate

Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard

Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 
Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

  Register