Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.480 ratings
9.335 pro ratings
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Top Notes For
Mike Saviage

Taken to Merrimans in Waimea on the Big Island. Darkish tawny, not quite opaque. Notes of black cherry, tobacco leaf, cedar, plums, cigar box and some spice. Super silky. Paired perfectly with my ribeye. The waiter said it best, “Oooh… Yummy!”

Taken to Merrimans in Waimea on the Big Island. Darkish tawny, not quite opaque. Notes of black cherry, tobacco leaf, cedar, plums, cigar box and some spice. Super silky. Paired perfectly with my ribeye. The waiter said it best, “Oooh… Yummy!”

Dec 27th, 2022
Justin Bothur

As CA Cab goes … dang. Structured and rich while still maintaining elegance. ‘94 was banging.

As CA Cab goes … dang. Structured and rich while still maintaining elegance. ‘94 was banging.

Sep 30th, 2022
Conrad Green

Beautifully intense and balanced. Dark red fruit with resolved oak and hints of tobacco, and dried herbs. A gorgeous long finish with tangy blue fruit. Still very vigorous after almost 25 years. Yum.

Beautifully intense and balanced. Dark red fruit with resolved oak and hints of tobacco, and dried herbs. A gorgeous long finish with tangy blue fruit. Still very vigorous after almost 25 years. Yum.

Dec 26th, 2018
Mike Saviage

Dark violet and opaque. Brooding nose with notes of black cherry, plum, spice, dried brush, tobacco leaf and a little cedar. Youthful in the mouth with silky fruit, softened tannins, but still a bit angular. Maybe could still use a few more years on its side but very enjoyable now.

Dark violet and opaque. Brooding nose with notes of black cherry, plum, spice, dried brush, tobacco leaf and a little cedar. Youthful in the mouth with silky fruit, softened tannins, but still a bit angular. Maybe could still use a few more years on its side but very enjoyable now.

Aug 26th, 2017
Bill Bender

To me '91 and '94 surpass '97 as the "best" vintages for north coast Cabernet Sauvignon. From recent tastings I believe that the '91's while they are more tannic....are also holding on to more fruit than the '94's. The Ridge was super strong and showed really well but the fruit is fading slightly. Still a lot of backbone, tertiary flavors and harmony to make it shine.

To me '91 and '94 surpass '97 as the "best" vintages for north coast Cabernet Sauvignon. From recent tastings I believe that the '91's while they are more tannic....are also holding on to more fruit than the '94's. The Ridge was super strong and showed really well but the fruit is fading slightly. Still a lot of backbone, tertiary flavors and harmony to make it shine.

Jul 30th, 2017
Mike Saviage

Deep garnet. Almost opaque. Attractive fragrant nose with notes of roses, plums, red berries, mocha, earth and fresh new leather. It's the total package in the mouth... lots of bright fruit but the acidity and structure still give a little pucker to tell you this wine has a long life in front of it.

Deep garnet. Almost opaque. Attractive fragrant nose with notes of roses, plums, red berries, mocha, earth and fresh new leather. It's the total package in the mouth... lots of bright fruit but the acidity and structure still give a little pucker to tell you this wine has a long life in front of it.

Dec 22nd, 2016
Mike Saviage

Part of a 94 Cal Cab horizontal; dark ruby; sweet core of bright fruit in the nose and mouth; notes include cola, eucalyptus, rhubarb; rich, velvet texture; perfect balance; still young and not at its peak, has the most upside of the 4 wines; 94+

Part of a 94 Cal Cab horizontal; dark ruby; sweet core of bright fruit in the nose and mouth; notes include cola, eucalyptus, rhubarb; rich, velvet texture; perfect balance; still young and not at its peak, has the most upside of the 4 wines; 94+

Oct 22nd, 2016
Barbie Messa

Never would have guessed this was over 20 years old. Dense and ripe, dark and bright. Damson plum, juicy boysenberry, craisins, fig, red licorice, leather, gravel, dried tobacco, lighted aromatics of dried, crushed lavender and vanilla bean. So lucky to have enjoyed this wine with family and friends.

Never would have guessed this was over 20 years old. Dense and ripe, dark and bright. Damson plum, juicy boysenberry, craisins, fig, red licorice, leather, gravel, dried tobacco, lighted aromatics of dried, crushed lavender and vanilla bean. So lucky to have enjoyed this wine with family and friends.

Dec 31st, 2015
Stephen Solaka

1994 Vintage

1994 Vintage

Apr 6th, 2015
Winn Roberton

My favorite

My favorite

Dec 27th, 2014