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All wines stored at 55° and 70% humidity
2016 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello
Surviving prohibition, multiple sales, and re-planting, the Monte Bello estate came into its own when Paul Draper arrived in 1969. Monte Bello is peak California Cabernet Sauvignon: Always black-fruited, with the Santa Cruz Mountain's aromatic violet explosiveness, mint chocolate, and the longest graphite finish outside of Bordeaux's left bank.
"The 2016 Monte Bello is a masterful expression of this lauded site in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s powerful, broad and infinitely layered, but it also possesses an incredibly finessed tannin structure that speaks clearly and forcefully but yields dutifully. Saturated blueberry, gravel, eucalyptus, charcoal, cedar and India ink build gradually and steadily through the long and sizzling finish. Just beginning to soften and develop beyond the primary stage, it wouldn’t be a crime to open a bottle now, but this has many, many lives left to live and should be even better (if you can fathom) in a few more years. This is what Monte Bello is all about. Drinking Window: 2027-2056”
– Billy Norris of Vinous (09/24)
“The 2016 Monte Bello is savory and delectable, showing early hints of evolution past its youthful primary phase. Fragrant but reserved at first, aromas of black tea, black truffle, turned earth and dried plums appear. Medium-bodied, succulent and sponge-like on the palate, the finish shows off vibrant, scrumptious acidity with slowly integrating but grippy tannins. Easing into a window of early consumption, this has another two decades of power in it, with further evolution beyond that likely. It contains 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Drink Date: 2024 - 2054“
- Matthew Luczy of Wine Advocate (04/24)
$ 274
10 available
| Product Details | |
| Appellation | Santa Cruz Mountains |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Country | USA |
| Grape Variety | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Price Range | $200-$400 |
| Region | California |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Wine Type | Red |
