2021 Monte Bello Featured in “The Best in Wine”
Robb Report
July 2024
Robb Report editors have selected the “greatest bottles of the year” in their new article: The Best in Wine, From Sublime Burgundy to a Superior Vintage. Among their picks? The 2021 vintage of Monte Bello!
“Ridge Vineyards is a Californian winemaker known for its European-styled wines: full of subtlety, elegance and complexity, and an ability to age for decades.”
ALLSTAR PRODUCER: RIDGE VINEYARDS
Monte Bello 2021, California, USA
“Ridge Vineyards is a Californian winemaker known for its European-styled wines: full of subtlety, elegance and complexity, and an ability to age for decades. From a site in the Santa Cruz mountains, Monte Bello is its star wine, and has been compared with Sassicaia as “twins separated at birth”. With a long history, Ridge was a pioneer in the use of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot from a time when this was unconventional for California wines.
“The Monte Bello vineyard is located at 790 m, with the mountains providing a unique microclimate and terroir. Unlike many Napa cabernets, Monte Bello typically has lower levels of alcohol, around 13 percent ABV, which helps create a more balanced and age-worthy wine.
“The 2021 vintage is a blend of 64 percent cabernet sauvignon, 31 percent merlot, 4.5 percent petit verdot and 0.5 percent cabernet franc. The wine, purple in colour, displays notes of blackberry, cassis, black olives, soy and hints of anise, violets and sweet toasty oak. The mid-palate is full-bodied and powerful, with a velvety, polished texture from the ripe, refined tannins. With flavours of ripe plum, dark berries, tobacco, spices and herbs, this wine is surprisingly accessible and enjoyable in its youth.”
100-Point, Members-Only Release in August 2024
The 2021 vintage of Monte Bello recently earned a number of exceptional scores, including a perfect 100 points from JamesSuckling.com Executive Editor Jim Gordon. It will be released exclusively to Ridge club members in August. Not a member? Explore our membership options and join now for access.
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