Neil Valenzuela

9.2

The 2022 release is a hit!
Deep purple color. Aromas of black cherry, cola, dried herbs and cedar. Black and blue fruit on the palate, herbs and oak on the finish.

🏅97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅94 Points - @Dr. Owen Bargreen — 17 days ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.2

Nose was shy, beautiful palate! See @Delectable Wine’s review. — a month ago

Diederick Swagemakers

9.3

Still very fresh — a month ago

Matt Perlman

9.1

Decent but could use a little more oomph — 2 months ago

Nick Jouras

9.4

Double magnum still has a lot of life left we sure enjoyed it with the crowd!! — 5 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Ridge – Monte Bello 2017
Santa Cruz Mountains – California, USA 🇺🇸
Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc

Overview
One of California’s most legendary wines, Ridge Monte Bello has been estate-grown, produced, and bottled entirely in-house since the 1960s. The 2017 vintage reflects a Bordeaux-inspired blend from the cool Santa Cruz Mountains, offering both structure and elegance. (Educational note: Monte Bello’s higher-altitude vineyards give cooler temperatures, yielding more restrained, ageworthy wines compared to Napa Valley powerhouses.)

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, cassis, and red plum at the core, accented by cedar, graphite, and cocoa. Hints of tobacco, dried herbs, and floral notes bring depth and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and refreshing acidity. A graceful, layered wine that “dances on the palate,” finishing long and harmonious with both power and finesse.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled lamb, prime rib, or braised short ribs. Also pairs beautifully with mushroom risotto or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A benchmark California classic — Bordeaux in inspiration, but with a Santa Cruz identity all its own. The 2017 Monte Bello is elegant, expressive, and deeply satisfying. 🍷

Did You Know?
Ridge’s Monte Bello gained international fame in the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, where it ranked among the world’s top Cabernets, cementing California’s place on the fine wine map.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Highly allocated and cellared by collectors worldwide, Ridge Monte Bello is a vertical-worthy wine with decades of aging potential. — a month ago

Janice in Livermore

9.0

2019 Cab at Kuumbwa Jazz Club in Santa Cruz. Raul Midon concert. — 2 months ago

Paul St Clair

9.2

Deep purple color fading to black in the center of the glass. Floral nose with spices and black fruits and a hint of smoke. Black cherries with plums and spices laced with a hint of vanilla. Well integrated oak announcing tannins that have arrived to maturity. The tasting notes for 2023 were very accurate as to where this vintage was heading and I’m glad I have 2 more bottles. Next one will be served with the lamb or dry aged prime rib this wine deserves. — 7 days ago

ESF

8.9

i've had this off & on for the past 25 years and it reliably offers copious amounts of fruit along with cocoa, vanilla & other decadent flavors & aromas. This was no different just not as polished or balanced as I recall. Wonder if they've increased production - this is their entry level offering — a month ago

Todd Anderson

9.2

Lovely delicate fruit balanced with some complexity. In a good drinking window. Paired well with grilled salmon for dinner — 2 months ago