Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2010

Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello

Region: California, USA

Vintage: 2010

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

ABV: 13%

Intense briary mountain fruit, firm acid, black tea, chalky tannin, with mineral/wet rock in a long finish.

In 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the initial plantings of the Monte Bello estate vineyard were set out, and winery construction begun. A first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; some vines survived into the late 30’s, but by the 1940s they were effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962). Since then, the historic vineyards on the ridge have gradually been replanted.

In 1962, Ridge Vineyards made its first Monte Bello, and two years later its first zinfandel. Since that time, Ridge has championed single-vineyard winemaking, searching California for those rare and exceptional vineyards where climate, soil, and variety are ideally matched.

https://www.ridgewine.com