Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.471 ratings
9.426 pro ratings
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Blue Cheese, Onion
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040.

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040.

Jun 24th, 2024
Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.0

Nose of moss, dill and bark bramble fruit. A little hard on the palate it very nice nevertheless.

Nose of moss, dill and bark bramble fruit. A little hard on the palate it very nice nevertheless.

Jul 16th, 2020
Elizabeth

Dried black fruits, m+ tannins, m acidity. Flavors of an old wine but not really integrating. Not a fan!

Dried black fruits, m+ tannins, m acidity. Flavors of an old wine but not really integrating. Not a fan!

Dec 7th, 2019
George Chen

Wow...2000 really drinking! Lots of complexity

Wow...2000 really drinking! Lots of complexity

Dec 28th, 2017
Peter Marks

Master of Wine, Educator Constellation Brands

9.6

Amazingly rich and silky seductive. Cedar, earth, black currant, bay leaf and dried cherry. At the peak of perfection but should easily hold another 5-10 years.

Amazingly rich and silky seductive. Cedar, earth, black currant, bay leaf and dried cherry. At the peak of perfection but should easily hold another 5-10 years.

Dec 26th, 2016
Jeff D.

In a great place...bursting with spicy, rich stewed raspberry fruit with a sultry finish. All around great wine, despite being in a 375mL. Wish it was a 500mL, could use another few sips of it.

In a great place...bursting with spicy, rich stewed raspberry fruit with a sultry finish. All around great wine, despite being in a 375mL. Wish it was a 500mL, could use another few sips of it.

Nov 14th, 2016
BurgundyFan

Great wine, it was balanced, long finish, excellent with food

Great wine, it was balanced, long finish, excellent with food

Oct 8th, 2016
Lee Lightfoot

A little too much Brett and iron for my palate. Far too mature. Only 1998 is worse in recent history of tasting.

A little too much Brett and iron for my palate. Far too mature. Only 1998 is worse in recent history of tasting.

Jun 4th, 2016
Martin Redmond

Slightly bricking with a savory dried red fruit, earthy, cedar, and cigar box character. Delightful!

Slightly bricking with a savory dried red fruit, earthy, cedar, and cigar box character. Delightful!

May 24th, 2016
Jackson Rohrbaugh

@ridgevineyards well this is drinking well!

@ridgevineyards well this is drinking well!

Feb 26th, 2015