Ridge futures and pre-shipment offer

28/04/10

If the wine world didn't have Paul Draper and his academic friends we would certainly have to invent them. How is it that some producers wouldn't recognise a decent bit of terroir if it smacked them in the face, yet on encountering what he was soon to name Monte Bello back in the early sixties Draper knew immediately that this was land of the worst quality at good altitude, destined to produce some of the best wines in the state of California?

Originally put to vine in the 1880s, this land was replanted with Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1940s and these vines made the first Monte Bello. Draper is a famously thoughtful winemaker and everything that happens - not much in the winery; a lot in the vineyard - is accomplished with efficiency and elegance. For instance, new sorting machines have been installed just in time for this current vintage. They enable timely and less damaging grape processing. The estate also sits on limestone, which is rare in California, though widely considered one of the best bases for great and elegant wines. Which these certainly are.

Ridge wines arguably have more in common with Europe than California or the 'New World'. Structured and repaying a bit of cellaring in almost every case (the Chardonnay is delicious from the off), the reds develop beautifully and, though both Geyserville and Lytton Springs are lovely young, they age brilliantly. These are wines to buy yearly for serious pleasure. Monte Bello Cabernet on the other hand is a Latour-like classic that positively demands to be cellared for ages.

Offered subject to confirmation for shipment: Monte Bello 2012; other wines autumn 2010

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