Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Ridge Vineyards — Estate Chardonnay 2023
Monte Bello Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Chardonnay from Ridge’s Monte Bello Estate, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains and strongly influenced by the cool Pacific. The exceptionally long, cool 2023 growing season preserved freshness and varietal character, while barrel fermentation followed by nine months on the lees added texture and dimension. At 14.1% ABV, it carries surprising substance without sacrificing its cool-climate identity.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh lemon, yellow apple, pear, citrus blossom, and subtle stone fruit unfold gradually, joined by mineral notes, gentle vanilla, and restrained barrel nuances. Air brings out additional layers without turning the wine overtly oaky.

Mouthfeel
Beautifully texturized yet remarkably fresh. Bright acidity provides tension while lees aging gives the mid-palate a gentle creaminess and polished weight. It keeps evolving after opening, moving between delicacy, mineral energy, and increasingly expressive fruit.

Food Pairings
Excellent alone, but equally comfortable with scallops, lobster, grilled halibut, roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, or richer seafood preparations. Its combination of acidity and texture lets it pivot effortlessly between sipping and serious cuisine.

Verdict
A fascinating expression of mountain-grown California Chardonnay. Delicate yet substantial, refreshing yet textural, it demonstrates how a cool Pacific-influenced site can deliver ripeness without sacrificing precision or energy.

Did You Know?
Monte Bello sits high above Silicon Valley on the Santa Cruz Mountains ridge, with vineyards exposed to significant Pacific influence. Ridge notes that 2023 was one of its longest and coolest recent growing seasons; the extended harvest helped preserve acidity while allowing slow flavor development—the tension you can genuinely feel in this Chardonnay.

🍷 Personal Pick
This sits comfortably among my favorite coastal-influenced Northern California Chardonnays. What gets me is the evolution: refreshing and delicate at first, then progressively more textural and expressive as it opens. It has enough finesse to enjoy completely on its own and enough structure to sit beside fine cuisine. That versatility, without losing its cool-climate personality, is what makes this one special. — 19 days ago

k

9.3

Full mouthfeel with acidity, minerality, and tropical fruit notes exquisitely balanced. Or peach and honeyed citrus per label. Still lovely. — 10 days ago

Mark Hammack

9.2

Very good. June 2025 — 11 days ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.4

Not as good as expected. A little tired. Nice tho. Day 3, so good! Time and air made this insane. Love, — a month ago

Austin Baird

9.0

Slight eucalyptus, strong tannic structure holding firm 10 years later! Deep dive with red pear, dried bing cherry, and toasted oak. Favorite pairing was the 18 month aged Gouda. — a month ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Big but hides abv. Smooth, dark fruits, some herbs and spices, overall a ton of fruit and bitter cocoa. It honestly needs more time. So good with steak au poivre at meritage St. Paul. — 3 days ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Gorgeous delicate dried rose on the nose. Lovely subtle savory strawberry and saline liberality. Delicate. Great — 14 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

This was amazing I would have 100 percent guessed southern France as origin. So good with food. Will buy more. — 3 days ago

Mark Hammack

9.0

Ok, not the best. First sip has a metallic taste. Better after it breathes a bit. Sept 2026 — 11 days ago

Mark Hammack

9.0

Very good. May 2026 — 11 days ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Quaffable rose. Party notes. No time. Maybe I’ll return to this. — a month ago

Joe Christenson

9.2

Delicious — fresh strawberry, hints of tropical fruit, mineral, honeysuckle, good acid and subtle white floral notes. Beautifully balanced. Paired well with smoked turkey burgers. — a month ago

Louis Martin

9.0

2025 vintage holds its own to the 2022 we tried previously, this time paired with a scallop crudo at Lune. — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Lovely rose of Mourvedre, good weight and length, should age further. — 9 days ago

with Jim

Paul J

10

Perfection! It’s like a high end White Burg and Red Bordeaux in a Rose. Unlike anything I’ve ever drank. Flawless! — 15 days ago

with Brooke

Joe Christenson

9.1

Lovely and bright. White cherry, white pepper, lime zest. Very tasty on an unseasonably hot October weekend. — 8 days ago

Space

9.5

Выпито 06.10.26 на балконе Symbol. Сегодня Свете было бы 60 лет…Как несправедлив этот мир… — 13 days ago

Mark S.

9.1

Deep cherry red ~ black. Oak vanilla black cherry plum. Fruitiness M++ Sweetness M+ Acidity M Tannin M Smooth Bitterness M Body M++ Finish M % Powerful Concentrated jammy Juicy good balanced Ridge Vineyards Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valley Zinfandel @2800, Eva - BBQ, 260914-260915 — a month ago

Some Dude

9.2

What a treat to serve this with a couple of steaks fresh off the grill and a chipotle-flavored tomato bread salad. This wine elevated the meal and delighted our guests! — a month ago

P Plusquellec

9.7

Hard to find a flaw — a month ago