Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.
Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease.
Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.
Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease.
Taken to Ridge Vineyards to pair with their Library tasting. Deep scarlet color, almost opaque. Fragrant nose. Notes of blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, earth, saddle leather and some anise. Silky in the mouth like 70s valour. Awesome juice. Served a glass blind to a sr. staffer who guessed it as the 92. Well done sir.
Taken to Ridge Vineyards to pair with their Library tasting. Deep scarlet color, almost opaque. Fragrant nose. Notes of blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, earth, saddle leather and some anise. Silky in the mouth like 70s valour. Awesome juice. Served a glass blind to a sr. staffer who guessed it as the 92. Well done sir.
Sep 3rd, 2022Popped for our 30th and taken to Sons & Daughters in SF. Great young, dark purple color. Exotic nose. Notes of plum, black cherry, some eucalyptus, mocha, old leather, dark moist earth, some dark chocolate and some anise. It’s a kaleidescape of smells. Still rich and silky in the mouth. So much fruit, with structure to match. Such a great unicorn wine.
Popped for our 30th and taken to Sons & Daughters in SF. Great young, dark purple color. Exotic nose. Notes of plum, black cherry, some eucalyptus, mocha, old leather, dark moist earth, some dark chocolate and some anise. It’s a kaleidescape of smells. Still rich and silky in the mouth. So much fruit, with structure to match. Such a great unicorn wine.
Sep 1st, 2021Bright color, almost opaque. Big nose. Notes of black cherries, plums, walnuts, some menthol. Comes across as young in the mouth. Rich and voluptuous. Still young in its life. Amazing wine.
Bright color, almost opaque. Big nose. Notes of black cherries, plums, walnuts, some menthol. Comes across as young in the mouth. Rich and voluptuous. Still young in its life. Amazing wine.
Feb 8th, 2020
Light and fresh and minty with lucid mountain fruit and precision and strawberry meets iron flavors. A very crisp and gorgeous bottle.
Light and fresh and minty with lucid mountain fruit and precision and strawberry meets iron flavors. A very crisp and gorgeous bottle.
Jul 4th, 2019Gorgeously lush and vibrant. Velvety minty fruit with a bit of oak and good length.
Gorgeously lush and vibrant. Velvety minty fruit with a bit of oak and good length.
May 8th, 2019
I recommend always calling before your arrival to ask if something cool is open.
(And if there is, then the 120 miles of travel at 6am on your day off is totally worth it)
I recommend always calling before your arrival to ask if something cool is open.
(And if there is, then the 120 miles of travel at 6am on your day off is totally worth it)
Dark tawny with some purple in the center. Opaque but bright. Killer nose. Notes of rich black cherries, plums, cracked walnuts, earth and a little eucalyptus. Medicinal. Ripe. In the mouth it’s velvet glove with what it touches and lush. Minute long finish. This is the whole package.
Dark tawny with some purple in the center. Opaque but bright. Killer nose. Notes of rich black cherries, plums, cracked walnuts, earth and a little eucalyptus. Medicinal. Ripe. In the mouth it’s velvet glove with what it touches and lush. Minute long finish. This is the whole package.
1 person found it helpfulJul 8th, 2018Ridgedonkulous. One of the best CA wines ever.
Ridgedonkulous. One of the best CA wines ever.
1 person found it helpfulAug 4th, 2014
Great wine, but still very young and a little tannic. Finish was smoother and longer on the last bottle I had of this one. Will save my next bottle for years.
Great wine, but still very young and a little tannic. Finish was smoother and longer on the last bottle I had of this one. Will save my next bottle for years.
1 person found it helpfulNov 23rd, 2012