Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.454 ratings
9.519 pro ratings
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Blue Cheese, Onion
Top Notes For
Jason Gaffner

Stunning wine that is just a baby. If you see this and you’re wondering whether to drink, either wait a few more years or decant for at least a few hours before drinking

Stunning wine that is just a baby. If you see this and you’re wondering whether to drink, either wait a few more years or decant for at least a few hours before drinking

Jun 2nd, 2021
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

On the nose; lightly spiced mixed berries, some star anise, wood shavings, baking spices and fresh dark florals. Big rich mouthfeel. The fruit is beautiful. It's round, rich, ripe and elegant. Blackberries, lots of blue fruits, dark cherries, black plum, plum, poached strawberries, medium spices that rise in intensity, violets, underbrush, graphite, dark fresh florals, dark rich earth, dry crushed rock powder, soft leather, star anise and nice mellow acidity. The finish is fresh, round, elegant fruits with spices that have heat. Beautiful wine that is still young but showing nice evolution at this point. This is a 30 year wine. Photos of; the view from their estate patio, the legend and man...Paul Draper tasting and the beautiful fruit of Ridge.

On the nose; lightly spiced mixed berries, some star anise, wood shavings, baking spices and fresh dark florals. Big rich mouthfeel. The fruit is beautiful. It's round, rich, ripe and elegant. Blackberries, lots of blue fruits, dark cherries, black plum, plum, poached strawberries, medium spices that rise in intensity, violets, underbrush, graphite, dark fresh florals, dark rich earth, dry crushed rock powder, soft leather, star anise and nice mellow acidity. The finish is fresh, round, elegant fruits with spices that have heat. Beautiful wine that is still young but showing nice evolution at this point. This is a 30 year wine. Photos of; the view from their estate patio, the legend and man...Paul Draper tasting and the beautiful fruit of Ridge.

Jun 3rd, 2017
BurgundyFan

Ridge 2009 Monte Bello, young I know, but delicious - Great wines have always been determined by their site - by nature, not by man

Ridge 2009 Monte Bello, young I know, but delicious - Great wines have always been determined by their site - by nature, not by man

Feb 21st, 2016
Emily Schindler

2009. Lovely. I'm a snob about CA cabs, and this reminds me that I should just shut up and get back to the business of tasting them.

2009. Lovely. I'm a snob about CA cabs, and this reminds me that I should just shut up and get back to the business of tasting them.

Mar 22nd, 2015
Will Thomas

This keeps getting better.

This keeps getting better.

Dec 2nd, 2014
Renato Hoyle

Baller!

Baller!

Nov 28th, 2012
A. R.
9.3

Ah man. Wayyy to young. But so much stuffing - wait 10 more years. On the nose, rose petals, dark fruit, baking spices. In the mouth, some secondary characteristics, dark fruit, allspice...high acid, tannins. Long finish.

Ah man. Wayyy to young. But so much stuffing - wait 10 more years. On the nose, rose petals, dark fruit, baking spices. In the mouth, some secondary characteristics, dark fruit, allspice...high acid, tannins. Long finish.

Apr 12th, 2020
Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

Really captivated by the nose, which I fail to describe, but clearly speak of its place, atop the Santa Cruz mountains, it's rocky soils, and the maritime influence of the Pacific. Shows remarkably well despite its youth. Resolutely black fruit, licorice, graphite, smoke and vanilla. Silky and radiant.

Really captivated by the nose, which I fail to describe, but clearly speak of its place, atop the Santa Cruz mountains, it's rocky soils, and the maritime influence of the Pacific. Shows remarkably well despite its youth. Resolutely black fruit, licorice, graphite, smoke and vanilla. Silky and radiant.

Jan 2nd, 2015
Mike Mayer

An iconic red blend from Santa Cruz. Very elegant nose with great aromas of currants, cassis and cedar. Lots of fruit on the palate with big flavors of nectarines, red currants, plums with a little bit of earthiness that enhances the overall taste. The tannins are very nicely integrated but do show up in the finish. I really like this wine. I’ve been sitting on this bottle for a number of years after buying it at the winery.

An iconic red blend from Santa Cruz. Very elegant nose with great aromas of currants, cassis and cedar. Lots of fruit on the palate with big flavors of nectarines, red currants, plums with a little bit of earthiness that enhances the overall taste. The tannins are very nicely integrated but do show up in the finish. I really like this wine. I’ve been sitting on this bottle for a number of years after buying it at the winery.

Jun 4th, 2018
Eric L.

Showing pretty well right now.

Showing pretty well right now.

Feb 21st, 2018