RIDGE VINEYARDS, Ridge Monte Bello, 75cl

🍷 Ridge Vineyards ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: USA | Region: California – Santa Cruz Mountains
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains AVA | Grape Variety: Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc
Style: Red Wine | Winemaking: Hand-harvested, native yeast fermentation, aged in American oak; minimal intervention to showcase terroir
Farming: Organic and sustainable practices

🌟 An icon of American winemaking—powerful, poised, and profoundly age-worthy, Monte Bello is Ridge's legendary mountain Cabernet.

👁 In the Glass:
Opaque ruby-black with a garnet rim—bold and brooding with classic mountain intensity.

👃 On the Nose:
Complex and deep, offering layers of blackcurrant, blueberry, and crushed blackberry alongside graphite, pencil shavings, and hints of bay leaf, sage, tobacco, and vanilla bean. A swirl reveals dark chocolate, cedar, and faint floral notes.

👅 On the Palate:
Structured yet elegant with a core of vibrant black fruit. Finely integrated tannins provide grip and backbone, while bright acidity keeps the profile lifted. Notes of cassis, espresso, dried herbs, and baking spice cascade into a remarkably long, mineral-driven finish.

🍽 Food Pairing:
Exceptional with dry-aged steaks, rosemary-crusted lamb, venison, or wild mushroom dishes. Also shines with truffled risotto or hard cheeses like aged Gouda or Manchego.

⏳ Ageing Potential:
Monte Bello is one of the most cellar-worthy wines in the world. Drink now with decanting or cellar confidently for 20–30+ years.

✨ Why You’ll Love It:
Ridge Monte Bello is California’s answer to First Growth Bordeaux—a majestic blend of power and grace shaped by the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains. Meticulously crafted and resolutely elegant, it’s a wine of origin, integrity, and timeless appeal. A true collector’s piece and a benchmark for fine New World Cabernet.