Wines from Monte Bello Stand Out in New Decanter Reviews

Decanter

May 2025

We’re pleased to share new reviews from Clive Pursehouse, U.S. Editor of Decanter. This group of ratings features wines from the Monte Bello Estate, including our flagship Monte Bello, and the newly released Paso Robles Zinfandel. Read the full ratings below.

2022 Monte Bello

Santa Cruz Mountains | 97 Points

“The limestone soils, and the short distance to the Pacific Ocean as well as the seriously high elevation, (ranging from 1600-2700ft) means that the Santa Cruz Mountains, produce a very different Cabernet than much of California. The 2022, drought vintage, a third straight year, meant tannic, tiny fruit on the Monte Bello estate. The wine was fully destemmed and only pumped over half as often as a typical vintage for Monte Bello. Its a tightly wound iteration in its youth with 100% new American oak for 20 months. Expressive on the nose, with taut black fruits, fresh pine needles and mineral notes of wet clay and roasted herbs. The palate is fresh and medium weight, (13.8%abv) with so much lively freshness in its youthful exuberance. Salty ocean notes open the palate chasing taut early season blackberries and plum skins. The palate opens overtime revealing dried mint, and alpine meadow herbs that buoy the fruit expression and carry this masterfully made wine toward its zenith, but… don’t touch it for another 10 years for the best result.”

2022 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Santa Cruz Mountains | 95 Points

“The grape that founded the Monte Bello estate, the Ridge Cabernet, is a Monte Bello-grown wine made from fruit that doesn’t contribute to the flagship, Monte Bello bottling. It tends to be more accessible in its youth and is softer in its profile. 2022 was the third straight drought year, with low yields and concentrated, small berries with ample tannin. The wine sees 17 months in 50% new American oak, and you pick that up in the aromatics, with a note of sweet tobacco leaf. The palate, however, is loaded with verve, bright saline minerality and taut early-season black fruits on soaring fresh acidity.”

2023 Estate Chardonnay

Santa Cruz Mountains | 94 Points

“Ridge has made this Chardonnay from the Monte Bello estate since 1962, but it’s less than 5% of the planted acres. This comes from the lower slopes of the original Klein Ranch. A long, cool growing season pushed this Chardonnay back a month in 2023, in terms of harvest dates. An extended hang time gives the wine a nice balance. While it’s opulent and ripe, with vanilla bean and poached pear from 80% American oak, its whole cluster is pressed and spends 6-8 months sur lie with a weekly battonage. The palate is lushly fruited with creamy notes of lemon curd, baked apple and a bright, nearly savoury finish. Delicious.”

2023 Paso Robles Zinfandel

Paso Robles | 93 Points

“This is from the Benito Dusi Ranch, planted in 1922 by the Dusi family, and they farm it to this day. Sitting inland about 14 miles, this is a very warm site, even in Paso Robles. Ridge has been making this wine since 1967. It’s always the first pick in the Ridge portfolio; these are own-rooted, head-trained vines. Aged 15 months in 80% neutral American oak. Aromatics of black plums and Christmas spice, with a hint of blackberry and muddled mint leaf. The palate is juicy yet vibrant with an exhilarating acidity that animates the ripe black berries, damson plums and a final note of exotic Mexican chocolate.”