2011 Ridge Monte Bello futures
Plus Geyserville, Lytton Springs and estate wines
Accumulated decades of very hard work result in the effortlessly classy wines that Ridge produce from vintage to vintage. Whether it's the fabulous 2009 Cabernet from a year with a cold start and a warm finish, the tiny production of the 2010 Zinfandel-based wines or Monte Bello from the cool and overcast 2011, Paul Draper's team deliver the best from each.
Draper's wines always reflect the vintage, but the vines are managed to get the best possible fruit. Once in the winery there is a constant series of judgements made about the maceration times, fermentation, and which lots will be used, and the final assemblage of each wine is handled with minute care. If you're in California, visits to Sonoma or Santa Cruz are welcome - but at the latter watch out for the rattle snakes. /CW
'The 2011 Monte Bello (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc) emerges from the glass with tobacco, grilled herbs, smoke, incense and plums melding together in this soft, beautifully textured Monte Bello. The 2011 is a wine of exceptional textural finesse. The 100% new oak is totally integrated. In 2011, Ridge used a total of 18 of a possible 24 lots for the final blend. The presence of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon is the highest since the 1980s. I expect the 2011 to be a relatively early drinking Monte Bello, but time will be the judge. Drink 2018-2031. 93-95 points.' - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, August 2012
Offered subject to confirmation for shipment: Monte Bello 2014; other wines autumn 2012
