Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay

9.041 ratings
8.99 pro ratings
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
Meg Herring

Lots of oak and minerals. Not my usual favorite but it’s a well made Chardonnay.

Lots of oak and minerals. Not my usual favorite but it’s a well made Chardonnay.

Nov 21st, 2018
Paco Suro

Way too rich and oaky for me. But has good structure and balance.

Way too rich and oaky for me. But has good structure and balance.

Jul 1st, 2018
Gregory Fulchiero

Opulent ripe fruit, baked apple and pineapple, nice balance of lees and oak.

Opulent ripe fruit, baked apple and pineapple, nice balance of lees and oak.

Feb 5th, 2018
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

On the nose, big Meyer, lime, green apple, buttered popcorn, pineapple, limestone mineral and yellow lilies. Body is creamy, Meyer lemon, green apple, lime zest, underripe pineapples, underripe green melon with rhine, buttered popcorn, oily, dry cut grass, soft limestone minerals, yellow florals and the alcohol feels a little hot with decent acidity. Grown on limestone terraces on the east side of the Santa Cruz Mtns. Barrel fermented with 8% new oak. Not filtered. UC Davis clone 4. 35+ year old vines. They do stir by barrel. 14.% alcohol. It's pretty good but I have to be honest, there aren't many CA Chardonnays I enjoy. I really prefer cooler climate Chardonnays done in tank only or with neutral wood influence. If you have good fruit why oak it or crush it in oak?

On the nose, big Meyer, lime, green apple, buttered popcorn, pineapple, limestone mineral and yellow lilies. Body is creamy, Meyer lemon, green apple, lime zest, underripe pineapples, underripe green melon with rhine, buttered popcorn, oily, dry cut grass, soft limestone minerals, yellow florals and the alcohol feels a little hot with decent acidity. Grown on limestone terraces on the east side of the Santa Cruz Mtns. Barrel fermented with 8% new oak. Not filtered. UC Davis clone 4. 35+ year old vines. They do stir by barrel. 14.% alcohol. It's pretty good but I have to be honest, there aren't many CA Chardonnays I enjoy. I really prefer cooler climate Chardonnays done in tank only or with neutral wood influence. If you have good fruit why oak it or crush it in oak?

1 person found it helpfulJun 3rd, 2017
Kamall

Very oxidative, held a little too long. Much better with food.

Very oxidative, held a little too long. Much better with food.

Jan 7th, 2024
Bill Mowry

Citrus and ginger on nose. Tastes of lemon zest with good balance.

Citrus and ginger on nose. Tastes of lemon zest with good balance.

Sep 8th, 2021
Kimberly Anderson

Burgundian in style. Citrus and flint nose. Medium in body. Almond, vanilla, and wet stone. Firm acidity with a pineapple finish. Great with king crab legs in a lemon chili butter. #ridgewines #rokaakor

Burgundian in style. Citrus and flint nose. Medium in body. Almond, vanilla, and wet stone. Firm acidity with a pineapple finish. Great with king crab legs in a lemon chili butter. #ridgewines #rokaakor

Oct 31st, 2020
Steve Bridge

Ridge always knocks it out of the park

Ridge always knocks it out of the park

May 4th, 2020
Doug Adams

2015 vintage. Great nose of subtle peach. Mineral and slight acidity in the taste. A very unique Chardonnay. Smooth refreshing finish!

2015 vintage. Great nose of subtle peach. Mineral and slight acidity in the taste. A very unique Chardonnay. Smooth refreshing finish!

Jul 14th, 2018
Audrey Lai

Smooth with a earthy after taste. Breathing of 30+ minutes recommended

Smooth with a earthy after taste. Breathing of 30+ minutes recommended

Jan 28th, 2018