Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

JS100
D98

The Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a shining example of artisanal winemaking, showcasing the unique terroir of California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. This vintage is a symphony of bold flavors, refined structure, and age-worthy potential, perfect for both connoisseurs and collectors.

Tasting Notes:
This wine captivates from the first glance with its deep ruby color, hinting at the richness within. Aromas of ripe mountain blackberry and cassis are beautifully balanced by nuances of anise, lavender, violets, and sweet toasted oak, with earthy, mineral undertones adding depth. On the palate, bold fruit greets you at the entry, supported by fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. The mid-palate reveals layers of complexity, leading to a long, intense finish that lingers with finesse.

Blend Composition:

  • 64% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 31% Merlot
  • 5% Petit Verdot

Vintage Excellence:
The 2021 growing season provided optimal conditions for crafting a wine of exceptional character. Carefully aged in French oak barrels, this blend is a harmonious integration of varietals, oak, and minerality.

Pairing Suggestions:
Elevate your dining experience with dishes that match the wine’s bold character. Think grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or a hearty mushroom and truffle risotto. For cheese pairings, aged cheddar or a creamy blue cheese complement the wine’s depth and complexity.

Cellaring Potential:
Though approachable now, the Ridge Monte Bello 2021 is built to age. Its firm structure and intricate layers promise to evolve gracefully over the next 20–30 years, making it an exceptional addition to any cellar.

The Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a shining example of artisanal winemaking, showcasing the unique terroir of California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. This vintage is a symphony of bold flavors, refined structure, and age-worthy potential, perfect for both connoisseurs and collectors.

Tasting Notes:
This wine captivates from the first glance with its deep ruby color, hinting at the richness within. Aromas of ripe mountain blackberry and cassis are beautifully balanced by nuances of anise, lavender, violets, and sweet toasted oak, with earthy, mineral undertones adding depth. On the palate, bold fruit greets you at the entry, supported by fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. The mid-palate reveals layers of complexity, leading to a long, intense finish that lingers with finesse.

Blend Composition:

  • 64% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 31% Merlot
  • 5% Petit Verdot

Vintage Excellence:
The 2021 growing season provided optimal conditions for crafting a wine of exceptional character. Carefully aged in French oak barrels, this blend is a harmonious integration of varietals, oak, and minerality.

Pairing Suggestions:
Elevate your dining experience with dishes that match the wine’s bold character. Think grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or a hearty mushroom and truffle risotto. For cheese pairings, aged cheddar or a creamy blue cheese complement the wine’s depth and complexity.

Cellaring Potential:
Though approachable now, the Ridge Monte Bello 2021 is built to age. Its firm structure and intricate layers promise to evolve gracefully over the next 20–30 years, making it an exceptional addition to any cellar.

Ratings

JS100
James Suckling

"Tightly wound at this stage, the wine is massively concentrated, taut, yet trim and medium-bodied. Aged in 100% new oak, predominantly American, it offers espresso, blackberry, black cherry and vanilla bean flavors with a linear intensity and drive. Known to age and improve for several decades, this is one of California’s most collectible cabs and from a classic, age-worthy vintage. Best from 2031"

D98
Decanter

"It's a journey. This wine offers high mountain pine bough, petrichor, and floral predominance of violet, high mountain lavender, and scrub. The palate is crisp and taut, with bright berries, blood orange and savoury mint. A true mountain wine with alpine herbs and wildflowers that lift deep fruit tones of blackberries, figs and muddled mint leaves. Leather, crushed stone and smoked cedar plank come together in America's most singular and iconic Cabernet Sauvignon."

Product Detail

Size 750 mL
Producer Ridge Vineyards Wine
Vintage 2017
Country United States
Region California
Alcohol Percentage 14.3