Ridge Vineyards "Monte Bello" Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
(Santa Cruz Mountains, California) - [VM 100] [JD 97] [WA 96+] [WS 96] [DM 95] [JS 95]

History:
In 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the initial plantings of the Monte Bello estate vineyard were set out, 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). Since then, the historic vineyards on the ridge have gradually been replanted.

Vintage:
Late winter rains brought some relief from another year of drought. Monte Bello’s fractured limestone held onto this moisture for the vines to draw on through a mild summer. Unusually cold nights slowed ripening and developed firm acidity, while gentle extraction during fermentation kept tannins in balance. Through careful blind-tasting twenty-three lots were assembled and spent eighteen months in barrel. This superb vintage will age beautifully over the next thirty years.

Tasting Notes

Opaque purple-ruby color. Ripe blackberry fruit, barrel spice, anise, violets, and crushed limestone. Opulent mountain fruit entry, firm acid, and fine-grain, age-worthy tannins. Powerful complexity and tremendous length to the finish.

Technical Information

Harvest Dates: 20 September – 13 October
Grapes: Average Brix 24.4˚
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed, 100% whole berries. Automated berry sorting. Fer¬mented on the native yeasts. Pressed at seven days. Natural malolactic.
Selection: Twenty-three of twenty-five Monte Bello parcels.
Barrels: 100% new air-dried oak; 98% american oak, 2% french oak.
Aging: Eighteen months in barrel

Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested, estate-grown grapes; destemmed and sorted; fermented on the native yeasts; full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; 0.32 g/L calcium carbonate added to moderate the high natural acidity in ten of the twenty-eight fermenters; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur 35 ppm at crush, 76 ppm during aging; pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Ratings & Reviews

100 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2016 Monte Bello is a masterful expression of this lauded site in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s powerful, broad and infinitely layered, but it also possesses an incredibly finessed tannin structure that speaks clearly and forcefully but yields dutifully. Saturated blueberry, gravel, eucalyptus, charcoal, cedar and India ink build gradually and steadily through the long and sizzling finish. Just beginning to soften and develop beyond the primary stage, it wouldn’t be a crime to open a bottle now, but this has many, many lives left to live and should be even better (if you can fathom) in a few more years. This is what Monte Bello is all about. (Drink between 2027-2056)" - Billy Norris (Oct 2024)

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Engaging oak barrel aromas of oatmeal and nutmeg but also delightful earth, camphor and fresh nettle notes that resolve to blue, black and red fruits on the palate. A little hard at this stage – unforgiving perhaps – but promises much. (Drink between 2021-2050)" - Clare Tooley (Oct 2021)

96+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2016 Monte Bello is savory and delectable, showing early hints of evolution past its youthful primary phase. Fragrant but reserved at first, aromas of black tea, black truffle, turned earth and dried plums appear. Medium-bodied, succulent and sponge-like on the palate, the finish shows off vibrant, scrumptious acidity with slowly integrating but grippy tannins. Easing into a window of early consumption, this has another two decades of power in it, with further evolution beyond that likely. It contains 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc." - Matthew Luczy (Apr 2024)

96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is tight as a drum today, with a rigid frame of singed apple wood and cedar around a core of dark currant, fig and blackberry reduction notes. A racy iron streak and riveting acidity drive the finish, which is loaded with bay leaf, violet, sage, charcoal and tobacco details. Expands steadily in the glass with air, but this isn't meant for consumption today. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2045. 5,150 cases made." - J (Dec 2019)

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"From a relatively cool growing season, this is reserved on the nose, with lurking blackberry fruit and a distinct vanilla tone. While rich and opulent, it still has a tannic backbone to keep it taut. It's not showing much complexity now but has great structure and precision. Finely balanced and concentrated, this should develop impressively. Spicy and long. (Drink between 2022-2042)" - Stephen Brook (Oct 2022)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"A refined, creamy red with currant, fresh-mushroom, tree-bark and light dried-tobacco character. Medium body. Firm and lightly chewy. Linear and racy red. Very tight. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot, 10% petit verdot and 6% cabernet franc. Drink after 2023." (Oct 2019)