Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Ridge Vineyards – Chardonnay – 2023
Monte Bello Estate Vineyard – Santa Cruz Mountains – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A mountain-born Chardonnay from one of California’s most historic estates. The long, cool 2023 growing season delivered a wine of vibrant energy and varietal purity, shaped by indigenous fermentation and extended lees aging. Ridge once again proves that Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains can rival the world’s finest in precision and longevity.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon zest, green apple, and white peach lead with lifted notes of chamomile, fresh herbs, and wet stone. Subtle toasted hazelnut and light vanilla cream echo softly from the barrel work, never overpowering the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Bright, linear acidity frames a medium-bodied palate with tension and focus. Silky texture from nine months on the lees adds quiet depth, finishing mineral, citrusy, and long.

Food Pairings
Grilled branzino, butter-poached lobster, roast chicken with herbs, shaved fennel salad, or creamy burrata with olive oil and sea salt.

Verdict
Beautifully balanced, mountain-driven Chardonnay that captures Ridge’s signature restraint and purity. Enjoy now or follow for the next decade, this vintage will reward both patience and curiosity.

Did You Know?
Ridge ferments its Chardonnay with indigenous yeasts and relies on minimal SO₂, crafting the wine with a philosophy closer to Burgundy than to typical California richness. The Monte Bello Estate vineyard sits at high elevation on fractured limestone soils, one of the rarest soil types in California for Chardonnay. — 4 days ago

J Choi

9.5

Initially thought cork fail. Capsule protruding. Wine residue. Surprised. great — 16 days ago

Nick Jouras

9.4

Double magnum still has a lot of life left we sure enjoyed it with the crowd!! — a month ago

Paul J

9.1

Twin’s 8th Birthday Party!

Solid, good fruit, a little harsh on the palate. Classic bell pepper present with more oak than I was expecting. — 8 days ago

with Brooke

Jason Keath

9.2

So smooth, tremendous Italian red, acquired at Amani Vino Morristown — a month ago

with Nicole

Sam Friedland

9.0

Very good, still a lot of tannins. Should be better I three to five years. — 21 days ago

Chris MacLean

9.0

Solid value but not a ton of energy — a month ago

with Sarah

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Deep ruby color. Aromas of blueberry, leather and eucalyptus. Solid wine! Flavors of cherry, raspberry, cedar and pencil lead. Great vintage!

🏅94+ points - Wine Spectrum Rating — 10 days ago

Jack Petras

8.9

This 21 was better than expected. Was gifted to me and went perfectly with some casual carry out Chinese appetizers. Soft and spicy with gorgeous fruits not too tart and not flabby. — 10 days ago

Doug Powers

9.2

Blackberry, rich and quite thick on palate, but with some very nice underlying acidity that provides some nice tension on the palate and into the lingering finish, very fine Central Coast Syrah! — a month ago

with Jim