Monte Bello was the debut wine for Ridge back in 1962, followed by Zinfandel 2 years after. Since then, Ridge has fought for single-vineyard winemaking, looking for those extraordinary and uncommon vineyards in California where the climate, soil, and varietal are perfectly matched.
Ridge has always sought quality in everything they do and has been acknowledged by the leading critics and peers in its field.
At Ridge, they like to refer to their winemaking methods as “pre-industrial.” They believe industrial processing and current additions hinder true quality for anyone trying to make good wine. The idea is inspired by the methods used in the most prestigious California wineries and Bordeaux chateaux in the 19th century. Only a few winemakers who had been trained in pre-Prohibition traditional procedures, returned to their employment in 1933, following thirteen years of Prohibition. Universities helped to address the skills gap for winemakers and started to reimagine winemaking as an industrial process year by year. Ridge believes industrial techniques undermine the specific characteristics of a quality vineyard and hide, rather than enhance, a wine’s individuality.
Ridge Vineyards organised a historic tasting of 20 vintages of Monte Bello to commemorate their 60th anniversary in 2022. The 2019 Monte Bello was the youngest wine presented and it illustrated the durability and harmony for which this wine is recognised.
This red displays complex aromas of tobacco, roasted coffee bean, blackberry, and wintergreen. Intensive plum flavours are piled on the palate with well-coated tannins, strong acidity, oak spice, and hints of liquorice on the lengthy finish.
Food pairing suggestion: The producers recommend it with Pan Seared Filet Mignon, Foraged Mushroom Gratin & Marchand du Vin.
Did you know? The Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 1971 was one of the stars of the legendary Steven Spurrier’s “Judgement of Paris,” which took place in Paris in 1976.
Awards
James Suckling – 99 pts
Jancis Robinson – 17++
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media – 98 Points
Karen MacNeil, Decanter – 98 Points
Dr. Liz Thach, MW, Forbes – 98 Points
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