Ericsson

9.3

Ridge Vineyards Wine Mixer at Thyme Restaurant. Drinking very well at the moment. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

There is an origins story for me w/ this producer. You can read about it by clicking my post from 55 weeks ago.

This bottle fazed between 92-94 while enjoying. I opened it and let it breathe in bottle for 45 minutes and then decanted it in stages…a 1/3, 1/3 & 1/3. I believe that was the right decision.

This 97 still has not ridden off into the sunset, it is just the other side of its peak. 28 yrs from creation & 26 yrs in bottle. I look at a Cabernet/reds from when it went into bottle vs its birth yr. All my opening decisions are made from that point. Humans don’t count their time in womb, I see wine similarly.

The fruits are still beautiful & its evolution is amazing. There is a core of dark currants surrounded by cassis. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with heavy skin, black cherries, secondary; raspberries, dark cherries & strawberries. Cherry cola/licorice. Dark spices w/ a touch of heat-hard to find better, moist clays, soft, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark chocolate baking bar, mocha powder, caramel, anise to black licorice, dryish tobacco with ash, used leather, dry crushed rocks, limestone powder, volcanic ash, fire ambers, saline, some black pepper, tumbleweed, dry river stone, black tea, very lightly grilled pork, florals for days that are; dark, red, blue, lavender framed in violets, perfect acidity with a great balance, well structured/tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on dry earth & spice as it long sets. Wonderful style!

To quote Robert Lewis Stevenson, “Wine is Bottled Poetry!” — 6 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

11/2023. Deep purple, medium nose and nice on the palate. Paired well with the petite filet at Hall’s Chophouse.

I’ve had the. ‘19 & ‘20 vintages and both were good. — 3 years ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

12/2022. Nicely structured wine. Dark color and good fruit. Paired well with the Pierogies at Gervais and Vine. — 4 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.4

Killer at this age with a whole lot of stuffing remaining. — 5 years ago

Chris B.

9.3

Elegant, classy, fine... not an obnoxious fruit bomb at all (although unmistakably Californian). First impression was sun-dried flowers, cedar and sweetness but after drinking, it was a rounded mix of licorice, blackberries and chocolate custard. Tannins are chewy - you just want to keep drinking it. — 6 years ago

Jon Hanlon

9.0

Dinner at Saltys. Full bodied with a velvet smooth finish. Licorice and berry spice on the nose. — 7 years ago

Ericsson

9.0

Ridge Vineyards Wine Mixer at Thyme Restaurant — 5 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.3

[Tasted on February 1, 2026 at Tom and Kathy’s house with Tom and Kathy]

Cherry and strawberry fruit, with black tea, spice and rose petals. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Ridge – Monte Bello 2017
Santa Cruz Mountains – California, USA 🇺🇸
Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc

Overview
One of California’s most legendary wines, Ridge Monte Bello has been estate-grown, produced, and bottled entirely in-house since the 1960s. The 2017 vintage reflects a Bordeaux-inspired blend from the cool Santa Cruz Mountains, offering both structure and elegance. (Educational note: Monte Bello’s higher-altitude vineyards give cooler temperatures, yielding more restrained, ageworthy wines compared to Napa Valley powerhouses.)

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, cassis, and red plum at the core, accented by cedar, graphite, and cocoa. Hints of tobacco, dried herbs, and floral notes bring depth and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and refreshing acidity. A graceful, layered wine that “dances on the palate,” finishing long and harmonious with both power and finesse.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled lamb, prime rib, or braised short ribs. Also pairs beautifully with mushroom risotto or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A benchmark California classic — Bordeaux in inspiration, but with a Santa Cruz identity all its own. The 2017 Monte Bello is elegant, expressive, and deeply satisfying. 🍷

Did You Know?
Ridge’s Monte Bello gained international fame in the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, where it ranked among the world’s top Cabernets, cementing California’s place on the fine wine map.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Highly allocated and cellared by collectors worldwide, Ridge Monte Bello is a vertical-worthy wine with decades of aging potential. — 9 months ago

JK Robinson

8.9

Yah. This is a good ‘un. For sure would buy again. On the big side of cab at the start, with a light-medium finish. I can use this in my life. — 3 years ago

Ming L

9.1

Last bottle of this very good HHH cab. A bit more meaty and rustic on the nose than the last bottle that I can remember. Lightly candied fruits, round acidity, and polished tannins are coming together nicely. At its peak, but should stay here for another 4-5 years.



— 5 years ago

Ron R

9.2

Keste pizza at home. Drove deep into the mouth of the beast (Manhattan) to get this. Reminded me of the film “Dawn of the Living Dead” when we drove through Meatpacking district.
We’ll get thru this, I’m sure of that. Pizza is 99 pts.
This bottle was an outlier, relative to what we normally experience from this producer. — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Jimmy Hilton

9.2

12.97 at Specs. Loved it. — 7 years ago

James Burge

9.3

stars and stripes; bold at 14.5%; pair with pork; drink with good company (2018) — 5 months ago

Ed Chin

9.0

A well made wine with plenty of time still. GSM’s just don’t do anything for me at the moment. — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

10

Ridge Vineyards – Zinfandel – 2023
Benito Dusi Ranch – Paso Robles – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An extraordinary single-vineyard Zinfandel from one of the most historic and consistent sites in Paso Robles. The 2023 vintage delivers depth, purity, and that unmistakable Dusi Ranch character—old-vine concentration wrapped in Ridge’s signature balance and finesse. This bottling remains one of the benchmark Zinfandels in California.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe plum, and raspberry preserve with accents of warm spice, licorice, dried herbs, and a touch of cracked pepper. Subtle cocoa and cedar from restrained oak play in the background.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity energizes the palate while fine, structured tannins keep everything focused. Long, plush, and satisfyingly powerful.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, grilled lamb chops, wood-fired pizza, smoky brisket, or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A stellar expression of old-vine Paso Robles Zinfandel, opulent, balanced, and deeply flavorful. A true standout in Ridge’s portfolio.

Did You Know?
The Dusi family has farmed this vineyard for generations, and Ridge has made wine from the site since 1967. These old vines consistently produce some of the most character-rich Zinfandel in the state, making Benito Dusi one of Ridge’s most iconic single-vineyard bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits at the very top of my favorite Zinfandels, extraordinary from start to finish, and a reminder of why Ridge continues to define the category. — 7 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Paul Draper’s note on the back label said this would be “at its best for the next 7-8 years” but I’m afraid he’s sold his wine a bit short. It’s still going strong after 2+ decades. Beautiful Zinfandel-driven blend with supple and ripe black fruit, smoke and vanilla spice — 4 years ago

William Feinstein

9.3

Napa merlot at its best. Notes of blackberry, smoked meat and a hint of eucalyptus rise from the glass. Dark and brooding in the glass. Earthy tones, dark chocolate, hoisin and black tea on the palate. Great wine in a tougher year shows the skill of the winemaker and quality of the vineyard. 11s aren’t blockbusters but great winemakers made balanced wines. — 6 years ago

with Maryalice

Joe Davant

9.4

I’ve been holding off on drinking any of the 2012 vintage from Hirsch because the folks at the winery said this vintage that needed time in the bottle. @Bill Bender’s notes about the 2012 Hirsch Reserve encouraged me to open a bottle, and I’m glad I did. The wine was deep and broad with more earth, forest floor, mushroom, and loamy notes than I have come to expect from Hirsch wines. The structure has settled down and the more beguiling feminine aspects of the West Ridge are now showing themselves. This was fanatic with crispy roast duck at Gideon Ridge. On a side note, I’ll give a plug to that restaurant. IMHO, it’s the best restaurant in the high country, with great food, service and views. Just plan ahead because reservations are often 6-8 weeks out during the summer season. — 7 years ago