Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Merlot 2016

9.0

Quite ready to go. No decant, opened 3 hours before. Nice seamless fruit, tannins very integrated. Could use a bit more acid, but still appreciate it esp at a nice restrained 13.4%. — 10 days ago

Tyler, Tom and 1 other liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1990

Vino Joe

9.4

A very reliable producer. Plenty left under the hood. Half bottle delight. Tons of sediment and the cork was intact but crumbled upon opening. Stewed for an hour and then began to be ready. Rounded succulent mature fruit a bit smoky and great balance/mouthfeel. — 3 months ago

Tom, Jan and 16 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay

Victor Hsu

9.3

Delightfully complicated California Chard masquerading as a White Burgundy. French nose and French finish. Minerals, flint, stone and fruit—apple, pear, peach and nectarine, with an obvious but restrained layer of oak. Not overly fruity or oaky; no pineapple or butterscotch here. Paired well with the Seafood Tower, Swordfish and Black Cod at the Water Grill Santa Monica. This was a juvenile 2021 vintage, tasted in 2024. Eager to try this gem after another half decade. — 5 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Chardonnay 2004

Conrad Green

9.2

Salt and honeyed notes. Slate and a bit of apricot. Good stuff. — 13 days ago

with Jonathan, Paul and 1 other

Jan, Ceccherini and 7 others liked this

Acquaviva Winery

Bianco Bello

Jessica Williams

9.6

Very sweet and crisp — 4 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Victor Hsu

9.0

Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister liked this