Ridge VineyardsMonte Bello 2011

Monte Bello’s Cabernet Sauvignon vines are grown on a sliver of the sedimentary Pacific sea bed in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. The wine was mostly (90%) matured in American oak barrels for sixteen months and provides a voluptuous nose of coffee, tobacco and primary black fruits. On the palate, were more of the same, together with intense, juicy black cherries, damson and cassis. Great vivacity and freshness, it was all wrapped up in dense yet ripe and grainy tannins and beguilingly low alcohol, just 12.8%. The finish was long, savoury and immensely satisfying.

Ridge’s 2011 Monte Bello shows beautifully, even next to some of the more important vintages that are part of this vertical. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, spices and graphite form an attractive core of flavors and textures. The 2011 is a bit slender and likely to mature earlier than some of the more structured vintages, but that only contributes to its near and medium-term accessibility. Hints of sage, lavender and black fruits add the final shades of nuance. This is one of the better showings of the 2011 from bottle.

The 2011 Monte Bello is another superb showing which can be added to the long list of excellent wines from Ridge Vineyards. This immediately bursts open with intoxicating aromas of black cherries, ripe cassis, graphite, vanilla, violets and sweet spices. On the palate it delivers velvety layers of full-bodied richness, along with excellent concentration and balance. There is also a wonderful touch of mouthwatering acidity providing this lift as it heads into the long, voluptuous, finish. Even at this early stage this is flat-out delicious and hard to resist, but as many know Monte Bello has the reputation to age extremely well and this is no exception. This is composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. (Best 2015-2030)”