One of the most famous wines of North America, the Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ comes from this historic site in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The wine has a deep history and dates back to the nineteenth century. In 1959, four Stanford Research Institute engineers bought acreage on top of Monte Bello Ridge, a site that had first been planted to grape vines in the late 19th century. In the early years, Dave Bennion took the reigns as winemaker, and in 1962, after three years of producing small amounts of some of the finest wine in California of that era, the four owners re-bonded the winery and released the first commercial Ridge Monte Bello. Paul Draper joined Ridge as winemaker in 1969, making his first vintage of Monte Bello in that year. Production was then re-located to the old stone winery at the very top of the ridge, which was built by Dr. Osea Perrone in 1892 and eventually acquired from the Trentadue family. The ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon has long been admired as one of the most famous wines of the world.
The new wine comes entirely from the ‘Monte Bello’ Estate. This is one of the most scenic vineyards you will find in all of California. This version has 9% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot added to the 2023 ‘Monte Bello’ (OB, 99) which flirts with perfection and is one of the finest new world Cabernets I have tasted in the past year. And now, without further adieu, here is my review of the scintillating new 2023 ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Ridge Vineyards.
2023 Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A spellbinding Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 ‘Monte Bello’ was initially blended from 30 lots in the Monte Bello Vineyard. From a slightly cooler vintage, the 2023 has a slightly larger portion of Merlot (9%) added. It offers cool wintergreen notes on the nose alongside sandalwood, orange bell pepper, and fresh sage that combines with shades of boysenberry compote on this intoxicating nose. The palate is lush and round with a terrific mouthfeel and loads of mouth-watering finesse. Showing stunning length, this beauty really needs a year or two in the bottle before savoring. Drink 2028-2050- 99