2021 Monte Bello

Deep ruby color. Ripe mountain blackberry and cassis, anise, lavender, violets, sweet toasted oak and earthy, mineral components. Bold fruit at entry coupled with fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. Layered and complex mid-palate with a long, intense finish. TG (4/23)

Warm weather in August, especially at the higher elevations, expedited ripeness. For the first time, we harvested from the top vineyard at Perrone to the bottom at Klein. The drought reduced yields by more than a third, resulting in small berries with exceptional tannin and color concentration. This year, instead of all parcels finishing malolactic in barrel as in the past, sixty percent finished in tank. This classic Monte Bello will develop over the next twenty to twenty-five years. JO (5/23)

In 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the first Monte Bello vineyards were planted, and winery construction begun. A first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; some vines survived into the late 30’s, but by the 1940s they were effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962) and subsequent vintages until 1974 when younger blocks replanted in the 1960’s were considered for inclusion. Since then, the historic vineyards on the ridge have gradually been replanted.

Rainfall: 14 inches (30% of normal)
Bloom: Early May
Weather: A dry winter and spring stressed the vines, limiting yields and concentrating flavors. Harvest was early, accelerated by a heat wave in early September. For the first time in our 50+ year history we finished our Monte Bello harvest before Lytton Springs.

Harvest Dates: 1 – 24 September
Grapes: Average Brix 24.4˚
TA: 6.90 g/L
pH: 3.46
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed, 100% whole berry fermentation. Fermented on the native yeasts. Natural malolactic.
Selection: Twenty-two Monte Bello parcels
Barrels: 100% new oak barrels: 92% American oak, 8% French oak
Aging: Nineteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested; estate grown Monte Bello Vineyard grapes, destemmed and sorted; fermented on the native yeasts; full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur 35 ppm at crush, 108 ppm during aging; depth filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

JamesSuckling.com: 100 Points “Tightly wound at this stage, the wine is massively concentrated, taut, yet trim and medium-bodied. Aged in 100% new oak, predominantly American, it offers espresso, blackberry, black cherry and vanilla bean flavors with a linear intensity and drive. Known to age and improve for several decades, this is one of California’s most collectible cabs and from a classic, age-worthy vintage. Best from 2031.” -Jim Gordon (May 2024)

WineSpeed: 100 Points “No Cabernet is more iconic than Ridge Monte Bello. It’s won every award imaginable, and it came in first in the official 30-Year Re-enactment of the famous Paris Tasting of 1976. When I tasted this 2021 vintage, it was just after the final games of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. All I could think of was how much this wine reminded me of the gymnast Simone Biles—Monte Bello is a powerhouse of strength and energy, and yet also lifted, seemingly propelled into the air. The 2021 Monte Bello is cooling and vibrant and rich of course, but it also has a compelling choreography. Fast then slow then fast again. It’s a head trip. Buy a bottle or two now while you can. You’ll be happy you did.” -Karen MacNeil (September 2024)

Wilfred Wong: 100 Points “The Ridge Monte Bello Red Wine, one of the world’s most iconic wines, stands tall again. First produced in 1962, this wine continues to amaze me. This vintage excels with aromas and flavors of early summer blackberries, fragrant spices, and hints of chalk. Enjoy it with a grilled American Ribeye or a French Entrecote. (Best Served: 2028-2041)” (September 2024)

OwenBargreen.com: 99 Points “A world-class wine from this vintage, the 2021 ‘Monte Bello’ combines 64% Cabernet Sauvignon with 31%Merlot and the remainder Petit Verdot. Beautiful dark rose petals combine with green bell pepper, cuban cigar, and wild blackberry. The palate is soft and seamless as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. A total head-turner, with tremendous mouthfeel, refined tannins and a light dusting of salinity, this beauty will cellar well for at least another twenty years to come. Try to resist this beauty for at least another year. Drink 2025-2050.” -Owen Bargreen (May 2024)

Decanter: 98 Points “It’s a journey. This wine offers high mountain pine bough, petrichor, and floral predominance of violet, high mountain lavender, and scrub. The palate is crisp and taut, with bright berries, blood orange and savoury mint. A true mountain wine with alpine herbs and wildflowers that lift deep fruit tones of blackberries, figs and muddled mint leaves. Leather, crushed stone and smoked cedar plank come together in America’s most singular and iconic Cabernet Sauvignon.” -Clive Pursehouse (September 2024)

Wine Enthusiast: 97 Points + Cellar Selection “This ageworthy classic is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot this vintage. The nose offers focused aromas of blackberry, toasted herb and light caramel with a hint of cocoa dust. The firm, leathery palate feels like it will last forever, as waves of berry, herb, pepper, clove and pencil shavings flow on. Drink now-2045.” -Matt Kettmann (June 2024)

Vinous Media: 97 Points “The 2021 Monte Bello is a top-tier wine from this reverential site in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The blend contains quite a bit more Merlot than usual (31%), which is a reflection of reduced Cabernet yields stemming from the drought-riddled 2021 growing season. Broad, infinitely layered and rooted in deep spice tones, the 2021 opens with a forceful kick of wild blackberry and orange peel, delving deeper into complex layers of black olive, new leather, violet and sweet pipe tobacco. Surprisingly giving and undeniably fresh, the 2021 is precise, laser-focused and propulsive, stationing the midline of the palate with an army of well-honed tannins and culminating in a finish that seemingly never ends. This is everything Monte Bello should be.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)

Robert Parker Wine Advocate: 96 Points “2021 marks the start of a new era at Ridge, now under the stewardship of Trester Goetting and longtime Ridge veteran John Olney following the departure of veteran winemaker Eric Baugher. The 2021 Monte Bello is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot due to drought-induced low yields, particularly in Cabernet Sauvignon. It is already assertive and polished on the nose, with aromas of cassis, dried tobacco, green peppercorn, mint and figs springing from the glass. The palate is suave and refined with electrifying energy and persistence, leading to a sophisticated finish of ripe black fruits and drying, layered stately tannins. Even in this embryonic stage, the perpetual pedigree of Monte Bello is here in spades; cellar for a decade and enjoy over the following two and beyond.” -Matthew Luczy (April 2024)

JebDunnuck.com: 96 Points “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was raised in mostly new American oak. It reminds me of the 2016 with its beautifully balanced, seamless style, and it has a riveting perfume of pure crème de cassis, sweet tobacco, lead pencil shavings, and violet-laced aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, and absolutely seamless, it’s a gorgeous Monte Bello that’s surprisingly already accessible, yet it won’t hit full maturity for 7-8 years but will have 30+ years of longevity.” -Jeb Dunnuck (August 2024)

Wine Spectator: 95 Points “A nice, strapping, muscular Cabernet, with mouthwatering notes of licorice snap, rye and apple wood framing its burly core of red and black currant paste flavors. a long, grippy cast iron accent drives the finish along, with echoes of sweet bay and tobacco. This is distinctive and built to last. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2028 through 2040.” -J.M. (July 2024)

Average Rating: 93.7

No. of Tasting Notes: 5

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