Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Ridge Vineyards — Estate Chardonnay 2023
Monte Bello Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Chardonnay from Ridge’s Monte Bello Estate, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains and strongly influenced by the cool Pacific. The exceptionally long, cool 2023 growing season preserved freshness and varietal character, while barrel fermentation followed by nine months on the lees added texture and dimension. At 14.1% ABV, it carries surprising substance without sacrificing its cool-climate identity.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh lemon, yellow apple, pear, citrus blossom, and subtle stone fruit unfold gradually, joined by mineral notes, gentle vanilla, and restrained barrel nuances. Air brings out additional layers without turning the wine overtly oaky.

Mouthfeel
Beautifully texturized yet remarkably fresh. Bright acidity provides tension while lees aging gives the mid-palate a gentle creaminess and polished weight. It keeps evolving after opening, moving between delicacy, mineral energy, and increasingly expressive fruit.

Food Pairings
Excellent alone, but equally comfortable with scallops, lobster, grilled halibut, roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, or richer seafood preparations. Its combination of acidity and texture lets it pivot effortlessly between sipping and serious cuisine.

Verdict
A fascinating expression of mountain-grown California Chardonnay. Delicate yet substantial, refreshing yet textural, it demonstrates how a cool Pacific-influenced site can deliver ripeness without sacrificing precision or energy.

Did You Know?
Monte Bello sits high above Silicon Valley on the Santa Cruz Mountains ridge, with vineyards exposed to significant Pacific influence. Ridge notes that 2023 was one of its longest and coolest recent growing seasons; the extended harvest helped preserve acidity while allowing slow flavor development—the tension you can genuinely feel in this Chardonnay.

🍷 Personal Pick
This sits comfortably among my favorite coastal-influenced Northern California Chardonnays. What gets me is the evolution: refreshing and delicate at first, then progressively more textural and expressive as it opens. It has enough finesse to enjoy completely on its own and enough structure to sit beside fine cuisine. That versatility, without losing its cool-climate personality, is what makes this one special. — 24 days ago

Mabel Hsu

9.6

Best Loire white ever — a month ago

P Plusquellec

9.7

Hard to find a flaw — 2 months ago

Sharon B

9.5

It’s National Red Wine Day! Let me see your wine! — 2 months ago

Lyle

9.0

Medium dry with a nice finish — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2023 vintage. Banging, as usual, for the price and goes far beyond. 6.24.26. — 4 months ago

k

9.3

Full mouthfeel with acidity, minerality, and tropical fruit notes exquisitely balanced. Or peach and honeyed citrus per label. Still lovely. — 16 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Dark garnet color with a ruby core. Aromas of dark berry fruit, forest floor, lavender and smokey vanilla. Flavors of black cherry, blueberry and blackberry fruit with additional flavors of black licorice, baking spices, savory herbs and roasted nuts. That smokey/oaky vanilla flavor extends to the long and silky finish. More weight, heft, power and concentration than your typical Pinot Noir. The bright acidity balances this wine beautifully. Outstanding! Thanks to Kase and Petey for bringing this wine on our 2026 Cape May, NJ vacation. — a month ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

2019 vintage. Needed time to breathe. Then it sang. — a month ago

Ming L

9.2

The house style is still here with ripe, slightly over extracted blue fruits, baking spices, cocoa, and a plush velvety palate. But the fruits become less confectionary and some savory components have emerged. Acidity seems more apparent. Really nice integration.

I think Pinot bottlings from Belle Glos are at their best with 5-8 years bottle aging. This is another proof. — 2 months ago

Stephen Osgood

9.0

delicious biodynamic Sta Rita pinot. tons of salinity and characteristic terroir. — 2 months ago

Mary Ellen Bonisteel

9.3

Great wine rated 93 points for the price — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Aromas of citrus fruits, orchard fruit, flint/chalk and white flowers. Flavors of grapefruit, lemon, orange zest, fresh leafy herbs along with a distinct mineral/steely note. Long and very elegant finish. Bold and refreshing acidity. Well balanced, medium-minus body, and totally clean. Bright and electric! So delicious and a total crowd pleaser on a hot summer afternoon. Thanks to Kasey and Petey for opening this winner! — 4 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Deep ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, plum and caramel. Red and black fruit on the palate, vanilla and oak finish.

🏅91 Points - Wine Enthusiast — a month ago

Kim Bonnet

9.5

2009. Opened beautifully — a month ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.4

Not as good as expected. A little tired. Nice tho. Day 3, so good! Time and air made this insane. Love, — a month ago

Kelley Raymond

9.5

Always a favorite — 2 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Really nice, good fruit and acidity. Strawberries, herbal quality, other good fruits. — 2 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

LF always impresses — 3 months ago

Ron Kyle

9.0

Another great vintage.
— 4 months ago

with Amy