Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews. Learn more.
Manage Subscriptions
Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Red
1995 Ridge Monte Bello
Red Bordeaux Blend
- USA
- California
- Santa Cruz Mountains
Label borrowed from 1994
Label borrowed from 1996
Label borrowed from 1996
Label borrowed from 1994
Label borrowed from 1996
Label borrowed from 1996
Label borrowed from 1996
Label borrowed from 1994
Label borrowed from 1996
Label borrowed from 1994
Label borrowed from 1994
Label borrowed from 1996
Label borrowed from 1996
Label borrowed from 1996
Community Tasting Notes 178
-
SH Wu Likes this wine: 98 points
February 2, 2024 - 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.1 person found this helpful Comment -
englishman's claret wrote: 93 points
December 3, 2023 - 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.
1 person found this helpful Comment -
Zingrrl wrote: 93 points
August 20, 2023 - 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.
-
sh6k Likes this wine: 92 points
July 27, 2023 - 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.
-
jgh123 wrote: 93 points
May 29, 2023 - Lighter than expected but still with some complexity. Fully mature.
1 - 5 of 178
More notes
Pro Reviews 18
Add a Pro ReviewDecanter
-
By Stephen Brook
Ridge Monte Bello retrospective, 10/25/2022 (link)(Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
-
By Stephen Brook
Ridge Monte Bello retrospective, 10/25/2022 (link)(Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
JancisRobinson.com
-
By Jancis Robinson, MW
10/25/2022 (link)(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
-
By Elaine Chukan Brown
10/21/2018 (link)(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
Vinous
-
By Antonio Galloni
Ridge Monte Bello Revisited: 1968 – 2012 (Jul 2016), 7/1/2016 (link)(Ridge Monte Bello Central Coast) Subscribe to see review text.
-
By Stephen Tanzer
Horizontal Tasting of Napa Valley’s 1995 Cabernets (Jun 2016), 6/1/2016 (link)(Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains) Subscribe to see review text.
JancisRobinson.com
-
By Jancis Robinson, MW
10/21/2015 (link)(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
-
By Jancis Robinson, MW
7/6/2014 (link)(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
Vinous
-
By Antonio Galloni
Santa Cruz Mountains: California’s Best Kept Secret (Jul 2013) (link)(Ridge Monte Bello Monte Bello) Subscribe to see review text.
JancisRobinson.com
-
By Jancis Robinson, MW
3/2/2010 (link)(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
View From the Cellar
-
By John Gilman
Jul/Aug 2008, Issue #16, The Golden Age of California Cabernet Part Two(Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello) Subscribe to see review text.
Winedoctor
-
By Chris Kissack
November 2006 (link)(Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon) Subscribe to see review text.
Vintage Tastings
-
By John Kapon
Cali Cabs Then and Somewhat Now plus Top 100 Weekend Teaser, 4/10/2005(Ridge Monte Bello) Subscribe to see review text.
Vinous
-
By Stephen Tanzer
May/June 1998, IWC Issue #78 (link)(Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Red Blend) Subscribe to see review text.
Decanter
-
By William Kelley
(link)(Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
RJonWine.com
-
By Richard Jennings
6/17/2011 (link) 92 points(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)
-
By Richard Jennings
5/21/2011 (link) 92 points(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)
-
By Richard Jennings
5/20/2007 (link) 92 points(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)
Wine Definition
- Vintage 1995
- Type Red
- Producer Ridge
- Varietal Red Bordeaux Blend
- Designation n/a
- Vineyard Monte Bello
- Country USA
- Region California
- SubRegion Santa Cruz Mountains
- Appellation Santa Cruz Mountains
- UPC Codes 500000001767, 744442101009, 744442671953
Community Holdings
- Pending Delivery 6 (0%)
- In Cellars 1,294 (57%)
- Consumed 965 (43%)
Food Pairing
Community Recommendations
Steak, Lam, lamb, Okse, roast red meatWho Likes This Wine
98% Like It 51 votes
More About This Wine
Articles
- ProducerRidge
- VarietyRed Bordeaux Blend
- VineyardMonte Bello
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- AppellationSanta Cruz Mountains
Add Articles
- Wine1995 Ridge Monte Bello (add)
- FamilyRidge Monte Bello (add)
- ProducerRidge
- VarietalRed Bordeaux Blend
- VineyardMonte Bello
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionSanta Cruz Mountains (add)
- AppellationSanta Cruz Mountains