Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Day Library Tasting
Tasted Thursday, September 1, 2011 by Martin Redmond with 2,180 views
Introduction
What better way to kick off California Wine Month, than Cabernet Day! I'd been looking forward to this superb opportunity to taste the iconic Ridge Monte Bello that, along with the Santa Cruz Mountains Estate, is a Bordeaux blend. It was also a chance to taste a couple of "mature" vintages from the 80s, and 90s to see how the Monte Bello wines age. I've not had a chance to do that, so I was eagerly anticipating the experience.
The tasting was held in the VIP room at Ridge's Monte Bello location in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
About Ridge Vineyards
Ridge Vineyards was established high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1962. The estate is located about 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. There are currently 108 acres of vineyards planted to five grape varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot,Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. The vineyards range in elevation from 1300' to 2700' above sea level. The combination of the mountain elevation and proximity to the Pacific Ocean results in Monte Bello being one of the coolest regions to grow Cabernet Sauvignon in California, especially during cooler years (Can anybody say 2011?!)
Ridge produces two different styles of Cabernet dominant Bordeaux blend (a.k.a. "Meritage" - rhymes with heritage) from Monte Bello estate. According to Ridge:
"In terms of place, our Santa Cruz Mountains Estate is Monte Bello, and vice versa. From this very special place, we are fortunate to be able to create two distinct wines, one which is labeled as Santa Cruz Mountains and one which is labeled as Monte Bello. We do this by listening to the vineyard at each harvest and making selections based, not on quality, but on style, to craft two wines that are equally captivating but serve different purposes. While Monte Bello is intended for the cellar, Santa Cruz Mountains Estate expresses the beauty and complexity of our exceptional mountain home in the first glorious flush of its youth."
Click here for an animated fly-in tour of the Ridge vineyards, including Monte Bello.
The first Monte Bello was from the 1962 vintage. Ridge has been making the Santa Cruz Mountains Estate since 1979.
Flight 1 - Starter Flight (1 Note)
It was a warm day in the Santa Cruz Mountains were Ridge Vineyards is located. When I arrived, I was welcomed with a chilled glass of the Ridge 2009 Estate Chardonnay. This was a flat-out enjoyable Chard, but I didn't finish my glass since I still had more tasting to come. I don't drink a lot of Chard, but when I do this one is on my short list!
Flight 2 - Three vintage vertical tasting of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (3 Notes)
Next up was a vertical tasting 2004, 2005, and 2006 vintages of the Santa Cruz Mountains Estate. The Santa Cruz Mountains Estate is a Bordeaux style blend produced in a style intended to be enjoyed in its youth.
Flight 3 - Three Decade Vertical Tasting of Monte Bello (4 Notes)
The headliner of this vertical tasting was the 2001 40th Anniversary vintage rated 99 points by Robert Parker. If that wasn't enough, Christopher Watkins, Tasting Room Mgr,author of the Ridge blog, and Ridge Jedi Grand Master also pulled out the 2005 Monte Bello for a bonus tasting!
Closing
This was an amazing, "Hall of Fame", tasting for me! And it was an experience I'll always remember, especially the 2001 Monte Bello!
2009 Ridge Chardonnay Monte Bello 92 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Pale lemon yellow color with tropical fruit, and peach aromas. On the palate medium-bodied, with vivid tropical, fruit, and vanilla spice flavors. Surprisingly long finish. Had I not had to save myself for the #Cabernet Day tasting...I would have definitely finished my glass. It was a warm day at Monte Bello and this was a flat out refreshing Chard.
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