Blog
Overachierver Baby Monte Bello: 2014 Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Last night, a stunning 1999 Ridge Monte Bello reaffirmed that within the discussion of What is California Grand Cru, this is where the argument should end.
Today, we're taking a look back at an earlier offer on the best value California Cabernet Sauvignon, a "Baby Monte Bello", Ridge's 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Also offered are a range of back-vintage Monte Bello, including one of the most prized American wines from the last 50 years, the epic 1991.
Monte Bello Estate vineyard atop the Santa Cruz Mountains needs little introduction. The Monte Bello designate Cabernet Sauvignon releases around $200 per bottle. What's still somewhat under-the-radar is their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, comprised of 15 to 20 parcels on the Monte Bello vineyard that have historically shown a more approachable and softer fruit profile.
Each vintage the Estate Cabernet is a favorite of mine, still displaying the magic that Paul Draper started here in 1969. The drought conditions of 2014 gave an added element of concentration and weight to this Baby Monte Bello cuvée. For lovers of old school California Cabernet Sauvignon from the coolest, Pacific-influenced mountain terrain, this is a moment to take notice.
Monte Bello's black fruit, racy mint and graphite tones always impress, but the experiences also come at the expense of long bottle aging. The Estate Cabernet has all of these same inherent Monte Bello vineyard characteristics, only showing them through a softer focus. In all years this is the case, but 2014 was immediately recognized as something quite special:
"Readers who are looking for a more affordable alternative to Ridge's iconic Monte Bello should consider the 2014 Estate. Look for the Estate to be a real overachiever in 2014 as well as one of the best - possibly the best - California Cabernet in its price range."
The history of Monte Bello extends as far back as 1885 when the 180 acres was purchased and planted by San Francisco doctor, Osea Perrone. Through a tumultuous series including prohibition, multiple sales, and re-planting, the Monte Bello estate really comes into its own with Paul Draper's arrival in 1969. Draper's insistence on producing "Pre-Industrial" wines has received a lot of attention, as he challenged winemakers to put the full list of ingredients on their labels. Draper's end goal is producing wines that reflect site, relying on native yeast ferments and strictly opposing modern manipulations such as Ultra/Mega purple concentrate, reverse osmosis, and the like.
Ridge also stands out from much of California Cabernet Sauvignon in their deft use of American oak. The limestone soils of Monte Bello have long stood up to the new oak regimen (here 70%), providing more silken texture and elegance without obscuring terroir - easy to say, not so easy to execute. Along with the fabulously open-knit 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, today's list features perfectly stored, back-vintage Monte Bello.
Purchase Here.
2014 Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
$65 per bottle.
"Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested, estate-grown grapes; destemmed and sorted; fermented on the native yeasts; full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; 0.25g/L calcium carbonate to moderate high natural acidity in four of twenty distinct parcels; 1.7% water addition to twelve of the twenty lots; minimum effective sulfur (25ppm at crush, 120 ppm during aging); a fining of 5 fresh, egg whites per barrel for the press wine; pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions." - Ridge
3x 2001 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
$399 per bottle.
1x 1999 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon (not online)
$199 per bottle.
5x 1997 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
$319 per bottle.
8x 1991 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
$679 per bottle.
1x 1991 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
$1,379 per bottle.
1x 1980 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
$384 per bottle.
Today, we're taking a look back at an earlier offer on the best value California Cabernet Sauvignon, a "Baby Monte Bello", Ridge's 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Also offered are a range of back-vintage Monte Bello, including one of the most prized American wines from the last 50 years, the epic 1991.
Monte Bello Estate vineyard atop the Santa Cruz Mountains needs little introduction. The Monte Bello designate Cabernet Sauvignon releases around $200 per bottle. What's still somewhat under-the-radar is their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, comprised of 15 to 20 parcels on the Monte Bello vineyard that have historically shown a more approachable and softer fruit profile.
Each vintage the Estate Cabernet is a favorite of mine, still displaying the magic that Paul Draper started here in 1969. The drought conditions of 2014 gave an added element of concentration and weight to this Baby Monte Bello cuvée. For lovers of old school California Cabernet Sauvignon from the coolest, Pacific-influenced mountain terrain, this is a moment to take notice.
Monte Bello's black fruit, racy mint and graphite tones always impress, but the experiences also come at the expense of long bottle aging. The Estate Cabernet has all of these same inherent Monte Bello vineyard characteristics, only showing them through a softer focus. In all years this is the case, but 2014 was immediately recognized as something quite special:
"Readers who are looking for a more affordable alternative to Ridge's iconic Monte Bello should consider the 2014 Estate. Look for the Estate to be a real overachiever in 2014 as well as one of the best - possibly the best - California Cabernet in its price range."
The history of Monte Bello extends as far back as 1885 when the 180 acres was purchased and planted by San Francisco doctor, Osea Perrone. Through a tumultuous series including prohibition, multiple sales, and re-planting, the Monte Bello estate really comes into its own with Paul Draper's arrival in 1969. Draper's insistence on producing "Pre-Industrial" wines has received a lot of attention, as he challenged winemakers to put the full list of ingredients on their labels. Draper's end goal is producing wines that reflect site, relying on native yeast ferments and strictly opposing modern manipulations such as Ultra/Mega purple concentrate, reverse osmosis, and the like.
Ridge also stands out from much of California Cabernet Sauvignon in their deft use of American oak. The limestone soils of Monte Bello have long stood up to the new oak regimen (here 70%), providing more silken texture and elegance without obscuring terroir - easy to say, not so easy to execute. Along with the fabulously open-knit 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, today's list features perfectly stored, back-vintage Monte Bello.
2014 Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
$65 per bottle.
"Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested, estate-grown grapes; destemmed and sorted; fermented on the native yeasts; full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; 0.25g/L calcium carbonate to moderate high natural acidity in four of twenty distinct parcels; 1.7% water addition to twelve of the twenty lots; minimum effective sulfur (25ppm at crush, 120 ppm during aging); a fining of 5 fresh, egg whites per barrel for the press wine; pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions." - Ridge
3x 2001 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
$399 per bottle.
1x 1999 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon (not online)
$199 per bottle.
5x 1997 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
$319 per bottle.
8x 1991 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
$679 per bottle.
1x 1991 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
$1,379 per bottle.
1x 1980 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
$384 per bottle.
Recent Articles
-
Santa Cruz Maverick: 2020 Madson Wines May 27, 2022
-
Nahe Shimmer: 2020 Emrich-Schönleber Riesling May 20, 2022
-
Queen of Chambolle: 2017 Barthod Aux Beaux Bruns May 19, 2022
-
Provence White Diamond: 2020 Chateau Roquefort May 18, 2022
-
Santa Cruz Pioneer: 2018 Ridge Estate Cabernet May 17, 2022
Tags
- 1.5
- 1.5l
- 1964
- 1967
- 1968
- 1969
- 1970
- 1973
- 1976
- 1978
- 1979
- 1985
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 1er
- 1er cru
- 2000
- 2001
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 3L
- 4 Monos
- 6 pack
- 750
- 890
- 904
- abrossar
- Abruzzo
- al
- alain
- albarin
- Albarino
- albe
- Albillo
- Alex Foillard
- Alfredo Maestro
- alicante bouchet
- Aligote
- Allemand
- Alsace
- Alto Piemonte
- alzinger
- Amarone
- American Oak
- Amity
- amphore
- Anjou
- antle vineyard
- Antonio galloni
- arbois
- Arbois-Pupillin
- Argentina
- Arinto
- arnot roberts
- asili
- atalier
- atoine foucault
- Aubert de Villaine
- auslese
- austria
- austrian
- Aux Malconsorts
- auxey duresses
- avni
- ayler
- baby margaux
- back vintage
- Baden
- Baga
- bairrada
- Bandol
- Barbaresco
- Barbera
- barbera d'alba
- Barolo
- Barraida
- barrigards
- bartelemy
- Basque Country
- Basso
- bastardo
- Bates Ranch
- BB
- Beaujolais
- Beaujolais-Villages
- beaune
- beauroy
- Beer
- Belgium
- Benanti
- benchmark
- benje tinto
- bernard
- Bianco
- Bien Nacido
- bienvenues batard
- Bierzo
- bilbro
- bildstock
- Biodynamic
- biondi
- blanc
- blanco
- blau
- Blot
- blue fruit
- Bockenauer
- boisson
- Bordeaux
- Bordeaux Blend
- Botti
- boudignon
- boudots
- boulay
- Bourgogne
- bourgogne blanc
- Bourgueil
- Bramaterra
- Branco
- bressandes
- bretonniere
- Breze
- brunate
- brunate-Le coste
- brune
- Brunello di Montalcino
- brut
- brut nature
- bruyeres
- bugundy
- bunker hill
- burguet
- Burgundy
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- california
- Campania
- Canary Islands
- canneyt
- Cannonau
- cannubi
- cannubi (san lorenzo)
- cappuccio
- Carbonic
- Carignan
- carinyena
- carmenere
- caroline morey
- Carricante
- Cascina
- Cascina Francia
- Cassis
- castell
- cava
- Caves San Joao
- celler
- ceps centenaires
- Cerasuolo
- Cerasuolo di Vittoria
- certified
- Chablis
- chache
- Chaillot
- chambertin
- Chambeyron
- chambolle
- Chambolle Musigny
- Chambolle-Musigny
- Champagne
- champange
- champans
- champs gains
- chapelle des bois
- Chardonnay
- chardoonay
- Charlemagne
- charlie trotter
- charlopin
- charpentrie
- charvin
- Chassagne Montrachet
- chateau
- Chateau Chalon
- Chateau Thivin
- Chateauneuf du Pape
- Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Chavignol
- Chehalem Mountains
- Chenas
- chenin
- Chenin Blanc
- Cherbaudes
- chevalier montrachet
- chianti
- Chianti Classico
- Chichee
- Chiroubles
- chiusa spagnolo
- Christiane
- Christoph Schaefer
- Cider
- citrine
- Clairette
- Clear Lake
- clos
- Clos David
- clos de guichaux
- Clos de la Grand Coeur
- clos de la grand cour
- clos de la marchale
- Clos de la Rue
- clos des aigrots
- clos des chenes
- Clos des Ducs
- clos du bourg
- Clos du Chapitre
- clos du chateau des ducs
- clos du roy
- Clos du Verseuil
- CLos Prieur
- clos rougeard
- Clos Saint-Joseph
- clos st. jacques
- Clos Vougeot
- Club de Cosechadores
- co
- Coastal
- Colin
- collier
- Collio
- collio goriziano
- Collita Roja
- Columbia Gorge
- Combe Aux Moines
- combottes
- Comtes Lafon
- conterno
- contrada
- contrada barbabecchi
- contrada campo RE
- contrada feudo di mezzo
- contrada zottorinoto
- Coombsville
- Corison
- Cornas
- cornelissen
- cornu
- cortese
- corton
- corton-bressandes
- coste
- Cotat
- cote
- Cote Brune
- Cote d'Or
- Cote de Beaune
- Cote de Brouilly
- cote de nuits
- Cote Rotie
- Côte-Rôtie
- coteaux champenois
- Coteaux de Dijon
- Cotes de Provence
- Cotes du Jura
- Cotes du Rhone
- coulee de serrant
- CR
- Crinquand
- crozes
- Crozes-Hermitage
- cru
- cry
- CS
- cuvee
- cuvee alexandrine
- Cuvee Syrah
- Cuvee Tradition
- cuvee vigne alte
- d'alba
- D'Angerville
- Dagueneau
- Dauvissat
- dd
- de
- De Montille
- de valtuille
- del
- dessus
- dexter
- Dijon
- Dogliani
- Dolcetto
- Dolomites
- domaine
- Domaine Chave
- Domaine de la Cadette
- Domaine du Bagnol
- domestic
- dominik Huber
- dominique
- Domprobst
- double magnum
- dry
- Dry Riesling
- duc des nauves
- Dujac
- dutraive
- east block
- Ecueil
- edmond
- Eichberg
- el rapolao
- electric
- emilien
- En Champans
- En Combe Roy
- encinas
- enfield
- enfield wine co
- Eola
- Eola-Amity Hills
- eric
- Eric Asimov
- estate
- Etna
- Extra Brut
- fass 12
- fass 7
- faviken
- fellom ranch
- Felseneck
- Female Winemaker
- Fiano
- Fixin
- Fleurie
- Fontanasanta
- food tread
- for ross-seaview
- Foradori
- forest
- forets
- fossati
- fourrier
- fox hill
- France
- francesco
- Francia
- frank
- Frappato
- Frauenberg
- frederic
- Freisa
- French Alps
- fresh
- freu
- Friulano
- Friuli
- Frohlich
- Fronholz
- fruity
- Fuoripista
- Galicia
- Gamay
- Gang of Four
- Garnacha
- Gattinara
- Genevrieres
- gerard
- German
- Germany
- gevrey chambertin
- Gevrey-Chambertin
- geyserville
- GG
- Ghemme
- Giacomo
- Gigondas
- Gilles
- giulia
- giuseppe
- Glou Glou
- gnemiz
- godello
- gold standard
- Goldkapsel
- Goulots
- Gour de Chaule
- Graach
- gran reserva
- Granato
- grance
- Grand Cru
- Granite Terroir
- graviers
- Grenache
- Grenache Gris
- greves
- Grille midi
- griotte
- Griotte Chambertin
- grolleau
- Grosjean
- Grosses Gewachs
- Grotte Alte
- Grower Champagne
- gruenchers
- gruner veltliner
- gruyaches
- GSM Blend
- guiberteau
- hajo
- halbtrocken
- Haro
- haut
- haut medoc
- haute-cotes de beaune
- Hautes cote de nuits
- hayne vineyard
- haynes
- haynes chardonnay
- hectare
- henri jayer
- hermitage
- Hermitage Blanc
- Hermtage
- heron lake
- Hills
- himmelreich
- hope well
- Hubacker
- hubert
- huet
- IGT
- indiana jones
- italian
- Italy
- Jacky
- jacques
- jean luc
- jean-marie
- jeroboam
- jewel
- joao
- john lockwood
- joly
- Jon Bonne
- Jura
- kabinett
- Kallstadter
- Keller
- Kermit Lynch
- Kimmeridgian Soil
- king
- kings vineyard
- kirschenmann
- Klaus Peter Keller
- koehler
- koehler-ruprecht
- Kronos Vineyard
- kupp
- kye
- l;ultime
- La Bidode
- La Charme Aux Pretes
- la charmes aux pretres
- La Chatelaine
- la claudrina
- la del vivo
- la fresnaye
- la Geynale
- La guiraude
- la madonne
- La Rioja Alta
- la ripaille
- la taille aux loups
- la vitoriana
- lafarge
- Lambic
- langhe
- Languedoc
- Late Release
- Lavaux Saint Jacques
- le chapitre
- le clos
- le coste
- le haut-lieu
- le mont
- Le Pied de la Rue
- le poutet
- le pur
- Left Bank Bordeaux
- leroy
- les arboises
- Les Arvelets
- Les Barrigards
- les beaux regards
- les caillerets
- Les Cazetiers
- les champs canet
- les champs perdrix
- Les Chapaudaises
- les chaumees
- les chevalieres
- Les Crais
- les cran
- Les Fuees
- Les Grandes Places
- Les Grands Epenots
- les longeroies
- Les macherelles
- les manyes
- Les Minots
- Les Mitans
- les monts fournois
- les motelles
- les moulins
- Les Pallieres
- Les petits Vougeots
- les peyrouses
- Les Pezerolles
- Les Riceys
- les rieux
- Les Rugiens
- Les Rugiens-Bas
- Les Sentiers
- Les Suchots
- Les Taillepieds
- les tosses
- Lessona
- library
- Lieu Dit en Papolet
- lieu-dit
- Limestone
- limit
- lisbon
- little hill
- little hillwest block
- loibner
- loire
- Loire Valley
- Louis/Dressner
- low sulphur
- lust
- lytton springs
- Macabeau
- Macon
- Madrid
- magic
- Magma
- magnum
- mailloche
- malbec
- Malvasia
- Manzoni Bianco
- Marc Roy
- margaux
- marl
- marsannay
- marsanne rousanne
- martinenga
- Mascarello
- Mazis-Chambertin
- McKinlay
- mead ranch
- Mediterranean
- medoc
- Melon
- Melon de Bourgogne
- mencia
- mendocino
- Mercurey
- Merlot
- Mersault
- mes favorites
- Meursault
- michel lafarge
- mimis mind
- mind bending
- mix pack
- moccagatta
- monfortino
- monopole
- Mont Blanc
- Montagne de Reims
- Montalcino
- montbenault
- Monte bello
- montee de tonnere
- Montee de Tonnerre
- Montefalco
- montefico
- Montepulciano
- montevertine
- Monthelie
- montmains
- montrachet
- monttrachet
- morey
- Morey Saint Denis
- Morey-Saint-Denis
- Morgon
- Mosel
- moulin de tricot
- mount eden
- mountains
- Mourvedre
- Muenchberg
- mugnier
- munjebel
- Muscadet
- musigny
- musingy
- Nahe
- napa
- Napa Valley
- Naples
- narvaux
- native yeast
- natur
- Natural Wine
- Neal Martin
- Neal Rosenthal
- Nebbiolo
- nerello
- Nerello Mascalese
- Nero d'Avola
- Nero di Lupo
- New California
- New York Times
- no additives
- No Sulfur
- north coast
- Northen Rhone
- northern California
- Northern Rhone
- Nosiola
- nouvelle R
- Nuits
- nuits saint george
- nuits saint georges
- Nuits-Saint-Georges
- NV
- Oak Knoll District
- oberberg
- Occhipinti
- off dry
- Old School
- old vine
- Old Vines
- Old World
- Orange
- Oregon
- organic
- Ostertag
- outis
- outlier
- Overnoy
- PA
- Pardas
- paso robles
- Passetoutgrain
- Patagonia
- patchwork
- Patrick Baudouin
- pearl
- Peñafiel
- Penedes
- pergole torte
- pernand vergelesses
- Perrieres
- peter martin ray
- petillant
- petit verdot
- Petite Arvine
- petite syrah
- Peyrouses
- Pezerolles
- Pfalz
- Pfersigberg
- pian del ciampolo
- pie
- Piedmont
- piedmontese
- pierre
- pierre gonon
- Pietra Marina
- pigs stomach
- Pineau d'Aunis
- Pinot Grigio
- pinot gris
- pinot meunier
- Pinot Noir
- piuze
- Ploussard
- Poco do Lobo
- Pommard
- ponca
- porcaria
- porto
- Portugal
- poruzots
- poruzots-dessus
- Poulsard
- premier
- premier cru
- premier cry
- pretty horses
- priorat
- Produttori
- produttori del barbaresco
- Provence
- PT
- Puligny Montrachet
- Puligny-Montrachet
- pycm
- QBA
- qualitatswein
- R
- rabaja
- Rajat Parr
- raul perez
- ravera
- red
- red blend
- reduction
- reflet d'Antan
- Regnie
- reiserva speciale
- remensis rose
- remi jobard
- reserva
- reserve
- rheinberg
- rheingau
- Rheinhessen
- Rhone
- rias baixas
- Ribeira Sacra
- Ribolla Gialla
- Ridge
- ried
- Riesling
- right bank
- Rioja
- riserva
- Robert michel
- Roccalini
- rodchen
- romanee
- ronco
- rosae
- Rose
- rose-marie
- rosso
- Rouge
- Rougeard
- Roussillon
- RR
- rubicon
- ruprecht
- russian river
- ruwer
- Ruwer Valley
- Saar
- Sagrantino
- saint
- Saint Amour
- Saint Aubin
- saint emilion
- Saint Esteph
- saint jacques
- saint joseph
- Saint-Aubin
- Saint-Joseph
- San Fereolo
- san lorenzo
- San Zuan
- Sancerre
- Sangiovese
- sans soufre
- Santa Barbara County
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz Mountains
- Santa Maria Valley
- Santa Rita Hills
- santenay
- Sardinia
- Sashi Moorman
- Saumaged
- saumagen
- Saumur
- Sauvignon Blanc
- savagnin
- Savoie
- Schafer
- Schäfer-Fröhlich
- Schoenfels
- sec
- sekt
- senior
- sergio manetti
- Serine
- Sgarzon
- Siccagno
- Sicily
- Sierra de Gredos
- Sigaut
- singular
- singulier
- sisters
- sitges
- Skin Contact
- Skin Fermented White
- Slate
- small production
- smaragd
- sol
- Sonoma
- Sonoma Coast
- Sour Beer
- sous fretille
- sous la tour
- Southern France
- Southern Rhone
- SP68
- Spain
- sparkling
- Spatburgunder
- spatlese
- spicy
- st. amour
- st. helena
- Sta. Rita Hills
- stater west
- steinertal
- stems
- strawberry
- summer of riesling
- Super Tuscan
- Superiore
- supernova
- sweetwater
- sylvain pataiile
- Sylvain Pataille
- Syrah
- Taille aux loups
- Taillepieds
- tegan passalacqua
- tegernseerhof
- temple of doom
- tempranillo
- Teroldego
- Terrasse du Diable
- Terroir
- Tesson
- Thanksgiving
- The New Spain
- the plow
- thibaud
- thomas savre
- three corner
- thunder mountain
- tinto
- tintorera
- tissier
- tocai
- Torrette
- torroja
- toscana
- Touriga Nacional
- tre tine
- Trebbiano
- Trentino
- tribut
- triennes
- trocken
- trois cepage
- trousseau
- tuffeau
- turley
- Tuscany
- ulteria
- Umbria
- UNESCO
- unicorn tears
- USA
- VA
- vacheron
- vadot
- Vaillons
- vajra
- val
- Vallee d'Aoste
- valmur
- Valpolicella
- Value
- Vare Vineyrad
- Vatan
- vdf
- Veneto
- venezia
- Verduno
- vergers
- Vermentino
- Verzy
- vezelay
- vi
- Vieilles Vignes
- vielles vignes
- Vigne Rovettaz
- village
- Villages
- villet
- vin de france
- Vina Ardanza
- Vina Ardanza Late Release
- vineyard
- Vinous
- Viognier
- violet
- Volnay
- volnay vendanges selectionnees
- vosne
- Vosne Romanee
- Vosne-Romanee
- Vougeot
- Vouvray
- wachau
- walkenberg
- waterhorse ridge
- Watson Ranch Chardonnay
- weiss
- west block
- white
- White Burgundy
- Whole Cluster
- Willamette
- Willamette Valley
- Willi Schaefer
- wine
- wine advocate
- World Heritage Site
- Xarello
- yann
- young
- yves
- Zellberg
- Zero Sulfur
- Zinfandel