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. — 12 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Chih winegeeks valle de los encinos — a month ago

David White

9.2

Actually had this several days ago and both iPhone app and desktop Delectable has not been working for nearly a week and suddenly came to life this morning - most odd. Maturing very nicely at 8 years
Deep ruby colour and nose of berry fruits and spices.
On palate tannins and alcohol are well balanced and integrated,
This wine is always a pleasure to partake and a regular wine spectator best value wine — 2 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Thought we’d had our last bottle 4 years ago but then found this one. Probably better then, but still very nice. Definitely quite secondary, but the core of fruit and acid carries through. Wonderful pairing with dry aged strip steaks and wild mushroom risotto for our 10 year anniversary. — 9 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Medium Ruby with aromas of berry fruits and spicy notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, raspberry and red plum with pepper spice, floral and herbs. Fine tannins, medium finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy mineral character. Nice now! — a month ago

Gage Orion

8.9

Paired with a dry aged ribeye and beef carpaccio.. acidic, tannic, and delightful. — 2 months ago

Kland Aida

9.2

A very good Valle de Guadalupe wine. Smooth, chocolate, leather, and earthy. Great with steaks. May 2024 — a month ago

jochen rueckert

9.0

Nice. Old school not very funky but nice — 10 days ago

Ericsson

9.3

One of those surprisingly good wines. — 25 days ago

Colleen Tomasello

9.2

Full bodied and with a great taste of oak. So rich in flavor. — 2 months ago

with Mike