Asimov Celebrates Accomplishments of American Wines and RIDGE
The New York Times
May 2026
2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, a pivotal tasting event that shook the worlds’ perception of the greatest wine regions. Rather than retell the story, Eric Asimov writes of the accomplishments that American wines have achieved since May 24th, 1976.
In his New York Times article, “Celebrating 50 Years of Great American Wines,” Asimov paints a picture of the early 70s and describes the landscape of now-famous wine regions. He notes that there were exceptions to the regions struggling to find their identity. “Nonetheless, America was already capable of making great wines. Magnificent bottles had been produced by historic estates like Mount Eden and Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains.”
Asimov goes on to highlight wines, regions, and producers who are continuing to pave the way for California wines on the global stage. We are proud to be mentioned among the high points in the American wine industry over the last 50 years:
“The rich production of the American wine industry gleams for all to see. At the highest level are wines that have achieved distinctive beauty, complexity and deliciousness, that can touch the emotions in profound ways. Think of Ridge Monte Bello cabernet sauvignons from the Santa Cruz Mountains”
—Eric Asimov, The New York Times
And what of those wines that took part in the tasting 50 years ago? … In the last few months, I’ve had a chance to taste two of the American wines that competed back then, the Ridge Monte Bello 1971, which finished fifth among the six red wines, and the 1973 cabernet sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Cellars, which was No. 1 among the reds.
The Ridge was a bit soft and restrained at first, befitting a 55-year-old bottle, with lovely floral aromas. With a little air in the glass, it tightened up, showing its beauty and complexity. The Stag’s Leap, too, was remarkably intact, its color turning a soft brick red at the edges, but gorgeous and complex, supple yet tense and structured.
These were great wines then, and they are great now. Today, they have a lot more company.
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