2021 Monte Bello – “The Best in Wine”
Robb Report
July 2024
Our belief is that the great wines of the world have always been determined by their site—by nature, not by man. This was affirmed in an article titled, “The Best in Wine, From a Sublime Burgundy to a Superior Vintage” from Robb Report, in which Ridge Vineyards is named an “all-star producer.” The article highlights the 2021 Monte Bello, saying, “The iconic status of this wine is unquestionable.”
How did we come to be an all-star producer? Ridge has earned three consecutive awards as “Best Fine Wine Producer in the Americas” at The Golden Vines Awards. Organized by Liquid Icons, the Golden Vines Awards recognizes the star performers of the fine wine and spirits industries.
ALLSTAR PRODUCER: RIDGE VINEYARDS
Monte Bello 2021, California, USA
“Ridge Vineyards is a Californian winemaker known for its European-styled wines: full of subtlety, elegance and complexity, and an ability to age for decades. From a site in the Santa Cruz mountains, Monte Bello is its star wine, and has been compared with Sassicaia as “twins separated at birth”. With a long history, Ridge was a pioneer in the use of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot from a time when this was unconventional for California wines.
“The Monte Bello vineyard is located at 790 m, with the mountains providing a unique microclimate and terroir. Unlike many Napa cabernets, Monte Bello typically has lower levels of alcohol, around 13 percent ABV, which helps create a more balanced and age-worthy wine.
“The 2021 vintage is a blend of 64 percent cabernet sauvignon, 31 percent merlot, 4.5 percent petit verdot and 0.5 percent cabernet franc. The wine, purple in colour, displays notes of blackberry, cassis, black olives, soy and hints of anise, violets and sweet toasty oak. The mid-palate is full-bodied and powerful, with a velvety, polished texture from the ripe, refined tannins. With flavours of ripe plum, dark berries, tobacco, spices and herbs, this wine is surprisingly accessible and enjoyable in its youth.”
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