Ridge Monte Bello 2019
Ridge Vineyards (Otsuka Holdings) · Ridge Vineyards, Cupertino, California
Ridge Monte Bello 2019 is resilience distilled into wine. For over fifty years, Paul Draper and his successors have proven that California can produce wines of profound elegance.
Nose
Dark cassis and blackberry bramble intermingle with dried sage, crushed rock minerality, and a haunting note of pressed violets.
Palate
Structured and commanding yet never heavy. The tannins are fine-grained and persistent, framing black cherry, wild blackberry, and plum with precision.
Finish
Extraordinarily long. Layers of cassis, iron minerality, cedar, and dried lavender unfold over minutes.
- Varietal
- Cabernet Sauvignon (82%)
- Blend
- 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
- Vineyards
- Monte Bello Estate Vineyard, 1,300-2,600ft elevation on limestone and Franciscan greenstone soils
Cocktail Suggestion
Monte Bello is best enjoyed on its own. Ridge Wine Sangria: 1 bottle younger Ridge Cabernet, 2 oz brandy, 1 oz Cointreau, fresh dark fruits, 2 oz simple syrup.
Food Pairing
Grilled rack of lamb with a black olive tapenade and rosemary jus.
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