Last 12 bottles - 2007 Ridge Monte Bello, Perfectly-Aged 97-Point Library Vintage at the lowest price on the PLANET! Two 6-Pack OWCs Available:
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If you haven't yet, you must visit their Lytton Springs Vineyard Winery in Healdsburg! It's spectacularly beautiful, minimalistic, no-frills, and staffed by great passionate people: |
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Antonio Galloni goes on to discuss the 2019 vintage and the RIDGE portfolio as a whole:
2019: It’s All Grace
“Ridge manages to pull off the impossible, which is to excel in both larger-volume, commercial bottlings while also offering a number of small production, niche wines that will appeal to the nerdiest of wine lovers. The range continues to expand, which makes it a challenge to keep up, but a very fun challenge. ‘Over the last few years we have gotten more comfortable with smaller volume wines than in the past,’ said John Olney, a Ridge veteran who spent more than twenty years running the Lytton Springs Estate before being promoted to his current role as Head Winemaker and COO.
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2021 Ridge Vineyards Adelaida Vineyard Paso Robles Grenache Blanc
David Ulias writes:
"It is always fun to see some folks’ immediate reaction to this wine, which usually involves the phrase: “Wait… Ridge makes white wines?!”
Yes, they absolutely do and as one might expect they are fantastic. Ridge has actually been producing relatively small batches of their Estate Chardonnay, as well as a micro-amount of Monte Bello Vineyard designate Chardonnay, since they started back in the early 1960s (although the latter is only made in the best vintages!)
This is worth noting, if for nothing else, to assure that their winemaking teams are well-versed in the fine art of white winemaking!
Since 2018, Ridge has sourced fruit from the Adelaida Vineyard in Paso Robles. The focus is mainly on white grape varietals that are indigenous to both the Northern (Viognier & Marsanne) and Southern Rhône regions of France. The latter includes Grenache Blanc, Roussanne & Picpoul. These varietals along with Clairette, make up the base of Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc.
One could then surmise that this lil beauty drinks like an American CdP, and I personally would tend to agree with that!
Now for a few wine-geeky “stats” if you will:
100% Whole-cluster pressed (which is a common practice in Burgundy with Chardonnay) which means ALL of the grapes were crushed on their stems. Doing so adds to the structure & texture of the wine as well as imparting some subtle woodsy flavours, like those imparted by aging wines in oak barrels.
It is also interesting to note this is one of the ways the wine differs from its’ French Chateauneuf-y cousins, as they are all about destemming these varietals in both Rhône regions."
93 Points - Owen Bargreen:
“The 2021 Ridge Vineyards Grenache Blanc has a small portion of Roussanne and Picpoul blended in. The nose shows beautiful star jasmine tones alongside Japanese pear and salted brioche notes. The palate is incredibly fresh and vibrant with a seamless texture. Very juicy and bright, this is drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve nutty and earthy tones over the next six plus years.” -Owen Bargreen (August 2022)
93 Points - James Suckling:
"A white with crushed stone and sliced lemon rind with some white peaches. Sliced apple, too. Medium to full body. Some lime at the end. Co-fermented. 90% grenache blanc, 6% roussanne, and 4% picpoul. Drink now" (Nov 2022)
93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Crisp and clean on the nose with a hint of petrol, this bottling includes 6% Roussanne and 4% Picpoul. It shows focused aromas of sharp citrus peel, light honeydew and melon rind. The palate is zesty with tangy lime peel and pith, as green-fleshed fruit flavors ride a chalky texture into the finish." - MK (Dec 2022)
Varietals: 90% Grenache Blanc, 6% Roussanne, 4% Picpoul
Alcohol: 13.8% ABV
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Winery Price: $45.00 btl
Online Average: $45.00 btl
Competitor's Price: $40.00 btl
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2019 Ridge 'Lytton Springs' Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
“The 2019 Lytton Springs checks in as 73% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, and the rest Carignan and Mataro. Revealing a translucent ruby/plum hue as well as beautiful cassis and red plum fruits supported by lots of savory herbs, orange blossom, cigar, and spice-driven aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, moderate yet present tannins, and a great finish. While the Geyserville Cuvee has eclipsed the Lytton Spring in most vintages in the past decade, that’s not the case in 2019.” -Jeb Dunnuck (July 2021)
95 Points - Vinous:
The 2019 Lytton Springs is another embryonic wine in this range. Readers will have to be patient. Time in the glass brings out an exotic mélange of rose petal, blood orange, pomegranate and star anise, all wrapped together by plush, silky tannins. There is a lot of wine here. Healthy dollops of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Mataro round out the blend, but the Zinfandel is pretty expressive in the leading role.” -Antonio Galloni (May 2022)
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
This densely packed and deeply concentrated blend of Zinfandel with 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan and 2% Mataro is practically legendary. It boasts subtle, complex fruit flavors ranging from raspberry to blackberry to blueberry, while a velvety texture of fine-grained tannins and a subtle raspberry-like tartness give it great structure. Best from 2025 to 2035.” -Jim Gordon (January 2022)
95+ Points - Connoisseurs Guide:
“73% Zinfandel; 16% Petite Sirah; 9% Carignane; 2% Mataro. Here is an old-fashioned Zinfandel wrapped in new clothes and scoring both for its mix of berries and black fruits with hints of spice and briar, as well as a nicely integrated layer of sweet, rich oak. The wine enjoys the depth of the “big boys” but never gives in to its full ripeness, and its supple entry, mid-palate polish and finishing tannins amplify its keen focus and continuity from front to back. Lytton Springs Zins have shown well in our tastings of older wines, and there is every reason to believe that this one will also perform well for years to come. on ripe berries, the wine layers in a brown leaf, tobacco-like note that adds nicely to its range and depth. Very well-balanced with vibrant acidity somewhat noticeable at present, it may impress some as unusually tart for a ripe Zinfandel while others will be happy with its pert aspects. It is somewhat tight in the late going and bottle age will be a benison here." (6/22)
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
“Detailed and compelling, with briar path and wild red berry aromas leading to distinctive, multilayered white pepper and smoky anise flavors, which build complexity toward refined tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, and Mataro. Drink now through 2031.” -Tim Fish (March 2022)
Varietal: 73% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane, 2% Mataro
Alcohol: 14.6% ABV
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Winery Price: $45.00 btl
Online Average: $45.00 btl
Competitor's Price: $45.00 btl
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Our Sale:
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$42.97 btl (1-5)
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$40.97 btl (6-11)
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$38.97 btl (12+)
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2020 Ridge 'East Bench' Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
The "Little Sister" of Lytton Springs!
94 Points - Wine & Spirits:
“As the vines at East Bench mature, they are proving to be a significant part of Ridge’s legacy for future generations. While Paul Draper and David Gates have focused decades of their energy sustaining California’s ancient plantings of zinfandel and mixed blacks, they have also used the genetic inheritance from four of those pre-Prohibition parcels in a research project that resulted in the selection of zinfandel cuttings they propagated to plant East Bench in 2000 and 2001. The site of an abandoned zinfandel vineyard from the 19th century, East Bench is close to Lytton Springs, at the border between the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys. Gates farms the vineyard as if it were one of the historic sites, the vines head trained and spur pruned. John Olney, now COO and head winemaker at Ridge, has been in charge at Lytton Springs since this project began. The vines are now hitting their stride, this wine’s grapes harvested just as the fires began in 2020, their fruit providing what may be the most beautiful East Bench Zinfandel yet. The wine feels completely ripe, a cool well of fruit surrounded by earthen depth of tannins. Over the course of several days, the wine yields flavors of blueberries, roses and savory herbs, the detail in the tannins suggesting a long life ahead.” -J.G. (June 2022)
94 Points - James Suckling
Varietal: 100% Zinfandel
Alcohol: 14.5% ABV
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Winery Price: $40.00 btl
Online Average: $37.00 btl
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The Cabernet Sauvignon Wines: |
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2019 Ridge 'Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon
aka Baby Monte Bello
5 x 1.5-Liter Magnums left
95+ Points - Wine Enthusiast
There’s a prominent mineral streak of graphite, wet clay and lava rock on the nose of this bottling, which also includes 11% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Further investigation reveals aromas of blackberry, dried oregano, pepper and dried meat, and the palate falls in line, as leathery tannins frame baked berry, cocoa dust and roasted meat flavors. Drink now-2039.
94+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes from the estate Monte Bello Vineyard on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains and is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Hitting 13.8% alcohol, its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a brilliant perfume of blue fruits, scorched earth, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil. Beautifully balanced and medium to full-bodied, with building tannins, it's a seamless Cabernet Sauvignon that has some up-front appeal given its balance and elegance yet will benefit from 2-5 years of bottle age and, I suspect, have 20+ years of overall longevity. 2024-2047. (8/29/22)
94 Points - James Suckling
92 Points - Wine Spectator
92 Points - Vinous
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Varietals: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
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Alcohol: 13.8% ABV
- 5 x 1.5-Liter magnums left
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Our Price:
$139.97
per magnum 1.5 L
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2007 Ridge 'Monte Bello Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon |
97 Points - James Suckling:
“Blueberries, currants and flowers. The nose just pops out. Intense. Full body, with a round and velvety tannin structure and lots of currants, ripe strawberries. Very intense every. Black pepper at the finish. Muscular yet toned. Very structured yet balanced. This needs a minimum of four to five years of aging. Paul Draper says that perhaps this is as great as the legendary 1991. Made for aging.” (4/9/12)
95 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
“Reflecting on the 2007 Monte Bello, Eric Baugher describes the year as "a vintage that almost didn't happen." Until the eve of harvest, everything was going well, with a large crop ripening in balmy conditions. In late September, however, cold weather retarded ripening, with wet and wintry October weather only relenting on the 23rd, when temperatures returned to the high 80s. Due to such extended hang time, seeds were hard and woody, so it was difficult to extract much tannin, but that tannin was of very high quality. Today, the wine is beginning to show superbly, wafting from the glass with a lavish, creamy bouquet of crème de cassis, ripe plums, blackberries, black truffle and loamy soil. On the palate, it's full-bodied, fleshy and expansive, its generous core of fruit framed by rich, melting tannins and underpinned by the freshness and energy that this site always seems to capture. As it approaches age 11, the 2007 is an elegantly voluptuous vintage of Monte Bello that bears analogies with the lovely 1991. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, and it attained 13.1% natural alcohol and was cropped at around two tons per acre. 2018 - 2037.” -William Kelley (5/31/18)
94 Points - Vinous:
“The 2007 Monte Bello is just beginning to enter the early part of its first plateau of maturity. Sweet tobacco, cedar, menthol, licorice and dried herbs give the wine lovely aromatic depth, with silky tannins that extend the effortless finish nicely. Yields were a bit on the high side, which required more pumpovers than normal to give the wine a bit more structure. Even so, the 2007 looks like a wine that is best suited to medium-term drinking, within the context of Monte Bello, of course. 2018-2033.” -Antonio Galloni (6/18)
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Varietals: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
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Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
- Lowest price on the planet
- 12 bottles left in stock (Two x 6-pack OWC)
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Online Average: $385.00 btl
Lowest Price in CA: $330.99 btl
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2019 Ridge 'Monte Bello Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon |
99 Points, #45 Top 100 of '22 - James Suckling:
"This is a very powerful Monte Bello with currants and blackberry, black licorice and smoked meat. Mint. Some sesame seed, too. It's full-bodied with incredible darkness and saltiness like volcanic salt. Umami. Grilled seaweed. Flavorful and captivating. It goes on for minutes."
98 Points - Vinous:
“The 2019 Monte Bello is a wild, exotic wine. Huge, soaring aromatics meld into a core of heady, exotically ripe fruit. Not a shy wine by any means, the 2019 is atypically opulent, and yet all of the classic Monte Bello structure is there, underneath all of that fruit. The 2019 needs time in bottle to shed its baby fat, but there is a lot to look forward to. I imagine it will always be a pretty exuberant wine. Inky red fruit, blood orange, espresso, sweet American oak, cedar and pipe tobacco leave a lasting impression. In a word: magnificent!” -Antonio Galloni (May 2022)
96 Points, #6 Top 100 of '22 - Wine Enthusiast
95 Points - Wine Spectator
95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
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Varietals: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
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Alcohol: 13.7% ABV
- Lowest price in California
- 17 bottles left in stock (3-pack OWC)
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Winery Price: $245.00 btl
Online Average: $249.00 btl
Competitor's Price: $239.99 btl
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