Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Merlot

9.021 ratings
9.22 pro ratings
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Ty Richchouyrod

Fine merlot!

Fine merlot!

Aug 20th, 2015
Perry Riddle

Old school. Looks to St-Emilion for its inspiration.

Old school. Looks to St-Emilion for its inspiration.

May 20th, 2015
E & K G

Merlot that is really coming into its own, opening up well from the get go. Darker purple fruit with accessible tannins.

Merlot that is really coming into its own, opening up well from the get go. Darker purple fruit with accessible tannins.

Sep 10th, 2019
Mark Flesher

Would have been a nice Merlot in the cab vs Merlot tasting. The good? This is a merlot. The bad? If you're trying to stump someone? Good luck because....this is a classic merlot. From Monte Bello Vineyard. Nose is brambly, yet a bit sweet. Terroir is on the nose in full force. The entry is dark yet a slight bit youthful. Forest floor, plum, black fruit and quite a bit of it. Finishes with some drier tannin. This one is at the top of its game right now, but isn't going to win many awards for WOTN as it just isn't complex on its own. Drank MUCH better with food. Drink or hold another 5 to 10 years.

Would have been a nice Merlot in the cab vs Merlot tasting. The good? This is a merlot. The bad? If you're trying to stump someone? Good luck because....this is a classic merlot. From Monte Bello Vineyard. Nose is brambly, yet a bit sweet. Terroir is on the nose in full force. The entry is dark yet a slight bit youthful. Forest floor, plum, black fruit and quite a bit of it. Finishes with some drier tannin. This one is at the top of its game right now, but isn't going to win many awards for WOTN as it just isn't complex on its own. Drank MUCH better with food. Drink or hold another 5 to 10 years.

Sep 12th, 2018
Chris Krueger

Wheelhouse

Wheelhouse

Oct 21st, 2017
Darrell K.

Decanted for an hour. Blackberries, tobacco, and a dry yet slightly spicy finish.

Decanted for an hour. Blackberries, tobacco, and a dry yet slightly spicy finish.

Oct 17th, 2016
Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen KC

Showing a lot of oak right now. Worth holding on to.

Showing a lot of oak right now. Worth holding on to.

Mar 19th, 2016
Diabolus In Vino

Wow. What happened here???!? 2011 was lovely, but this is ... 🍏🍏🍏😖😖😖

Wow. What happened here???!? 2011 was lovely, but this is ... 🍏🍏🍏😖😖😖

Aug 23rd, 2015
Jojo Ong

2012

2012

Apr 12th, 2015
Dave Brunjes

Quite nice. Decanted. Could go a couple years.

Quite nice. Decanted. Could go a couple years.

Apr 11th, 2015