Jay Kline

9.2

From a double-magnum. The 2012 “Il Carbonaione” pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and initially reticent. After almost an hour of air, the bouquet emerged to reveal some funky cherry, red flowers, bergamot, horse blanket, green herbs, old wood and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. After plenty of air, this became really tasty stuff but the large format has really retarded the aging process. Similar bottles likely need well into the next decade to enter the zone. Killer with food. — 19 hours ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Ridge Vineyards – Chardonnay – 2023
Monte Bello Estate Vineyard – Santa Cruz Mountains – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A mountain-born Chardonnay from one of California’s most historic estates. The long, cool 2023 growing season delivered a wine of vibrant energy and varietal purity, shaped by indigenous fermentation and extended lees aging. Ridge once again proves that Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains can rival the world’s finest in precision and longevity.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon zest, green apple, and white peach lead with lifted notes of chamomile, fresh herbs, and wet stone. Subtle toasted hazelnut and light vanilla cream echo softly from the barrel work, never overpowering the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Bright, linear acidity frames a medium-bodied palate with tension and focus. Silky texture from nine months on the lees adds quiet depth, finishing mineral, citrusy, and long.

Food Pairings
Grilled branzino, butter-poached lobster, roast chicken with herbs, shaved fennel salad, or creamy burrata with olive oil and sea salt.

Verdict
Beautifully balanced, mountain-driven Chardonnay that captures Ridge’s signature restraint and purity. Enjoy now or follow for the next decade, this vintage will reward both patience and curiosity.

Did You Know?
Ridge ferments its Chardonnay with indigenous yeasts and relies on minimal SO₂, crafting the wine with a philosophy closer to Burgundy than to typical California richness. The Monte Bello Estate vineyard sits at high elevation on fractured limestone soils, one of the rarest soil types in California for Chardonnay. — 23 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Music ‘n Magnum tasting.
🎶Supertramp - Breakfast in America — 12 days ago

Damian

9.3

Cedar, fruit in the background, coconut?. Mature and delicious — 13 days ago

Paul J

9.1

Twin’s 8th Birthday Party!

Solid, good fruit, a little harsh on the palate. Classic bell pepper present with more oak than I was expecting. — a month ago

with Brooke

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Deep ruby color. Aromas of blueberry, leather and eucalyptus. Solid wine! Flavors of cherry, raspberry, cedar and pencil lead. Great vintage!

🏅94+ points - Wine Spectrum Rating — a month ago

Colleen Tomasello

9.4

Excellent cab! Always great from Ridge, this one is full bodied, nicely aged (still has room to age more, but wonderful right now!, wish i had a couple more) — 5 days ago

Raul Puga

9.1

Such a good wine and extremely food friendly. Cheers!!! — 23 days ago

Graham

9.1

Was missing something. Maybe some verve? — 15 days ago

William Goldsmith

9.4

Wedding year. With Thanksgiving from mag. — 15 days ago

with Ryann