1995 Ridge Monte Bello
Red Bordeaux Blend
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Community Tasting Notes (178) Avg Score: points
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Pro Reviews
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Decanter
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By Stephen Brook
(Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA, Red) Login and subscribe to see review text.
Ridge Monte Bello retrospective, 10/25/2022, (See more on Decanter...) -
By Stephen Brook
(Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA, Red) Login and subscribe to see review text.
Ridge Monte Bello retrospective, 10/25/2022, (See more on Decanter...)
JancisRobinson.com
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By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
10/25/2022, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...) -
By Elaine Chukan Brown
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
10/21/2018, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)
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By Antonio Galloni
(Ridge Monte Bello Central Coast) Login and sign up and see review text.
Ridge Monte Bello Revisited: 1968 – 2012 (Jul 2016), 7/1/2016, (See more on Vinous...) -
By Stephen Tanzer
(Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains) Login and sign up and see review text.
Horizontal Tasting of Napa Valley’s 1995 Cabernets (Jun 2016), 6/1/2016, (See more on Vinous...)
JancisRobinson.com
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By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
10/21/2015, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...) -
By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
7/6/2014, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)
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By Antonio Galloni
(Ridge Monte Bello Monte Bello) Login and sign up and see review text.
Santa Cruz Mountains: California’s Best Kept Secret (Jul 2013), (See more on Vinous...)
JancisRobinson.com
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By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
3/2/2010, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)
View From the Cellar
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By John Gilman
(Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello) Login and sign up and see review text.
Jul/Aug 2008, Issue #16, The Golden Age of California Cabernet Part Two
Winedoctor
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By Chris Kissack
(Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon) Login and sign up and see review text.
November 2006, (See more on Winedoctor...)
Vintage Tastings
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By John Kapon
(Ridge Monte Bello) Login and sign up and see review text.
Cali Cabs Then and Somewhat Now plus Top 100 Weekend Teaser, 4/10/2005
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By Stephen Tanzer
(Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Red Blend) Login and sign up and see review text.
May/June 1998, IWC Issue #78, (See more on Vinous...)
Decanter
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By William Kelley
(Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA, Red) Login and subscribe to see review text.
(See more on Decanter...)
RJonWine.com
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By Richard Jennings
(Ridge Monte Bello) Medium dark ruby color; nice, mature, herbal, cedar, stewed plum nose; mature, tasty, tart plum, cedar, herbal, American oak dill palate with medium acidity; at peak, should go 5-7 more years; medium-plus finish 92+ points (tasted much more mature than only 16 years old; 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc)
6/17/2011, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 92 points -
By Richard Jennings
(Ridge Monte Bello) Dark red violet color; lovely cassis, slightly herbal, plum, cedar nose; tight, youthful, tart cassis, red plum, cedar palate with a touch of herb; long finish 92+ points (69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc)
5/21/2011, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 92 points -
By Richard Jennings
(Ridge Monte Bello) Crimson color; focused cassis, blackberry and mint nose; plush palate of cassis, with sweet, firm tannins; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc)
5/20/2007, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 92 points
NOTE: Some content is property of Decanter and JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and View From the Cellar and Winedoctor and Vintage Tastings and RJonWine.com.
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Wine Definition
- Vintage1995
- TypeRed
- ProducerRidge
- VarietyRed Bordeaux Blend
- Designationn/a
- VineyardMonte Bello
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionSanta Cruz Mountains
- AppellationSanta Cruz Mountains
- Display optionsDefault
- UPC/EAN Code500000001767, 744442101009, 744442671953
2/2/2024 - SH Wu Likes this wine: 98 Points
In a great spot after a 2-ish hour decant - this wine retains a good balance of primary and secondary tension. The acidic lift, minerality and concentrated but soft-spoken primaries keep this wine drinking beautifully with a variety of grilled meat main courses.
As more air enters the glass, the harmony between the layers of dark fruit primaries and the secondaries of cedar and clove season the medium rare veal chops I was eating perfectly.
This wine was at the right place right time for me - I can see this wine not performing as highly if it weren't drank with fresh grilled veal chops. In the heat of the meal though, this really hit the spot.
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12/3/2023 - englishman's claret wrote: 93 Points
The 1995 seems a stern rendition of Monte Bello, maybe under-rated today at 93 but the real point is that this is probably a wine to watch. The slow burn of gradually building black fruit along nori and green peppercorn may explode in a few years - and the tough, tannic palate needs time to soften anyway.
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8/20/2023 - Zingrrl wrote: 93 Points
Stellar. Sorry, drank this several days ago and did not take notes at the time. This is from memory. I do believe it is past peak however still an incredible wine. Smooth, nuanced (flavor, backbone, and yes...there is a hint of vinegar as another reviewer commented, but it is so tiny that it adds to the complexity). Sad this was my last bottle. I would drink now.
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7/27/2023 - sh6k Likes this wine: 92 Points
Past its peak though not radically so — a bit of vinegar note. Beyond that, a great and balanced wine, mellow with age to not overpower though still not thin.
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5/29/2023 - jgh123 wrote: 93 Points
Lighter than expected but still with some complexity. Fully mature.
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