2012 Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains

Darkly concentrated on the nose, with enticing notes of black fruits, wood smoke and soft, peppery spice. The palate is dense, with a glossy, fruit-compote core enswathed in layers of velvety tannins, crushed minerals, clove spice and tobacco leaf. This is without doubt a powerful wine, but with that power held firmly in check by the finely-tuned structure, giving the wine a sense of poise and subtlety that belies its ability to age extremely well.

Pricing
In bond
Duty paid
Magnum
From a client
Report
3 available
£381.56
Buy Duty Paid

WINE DETAILS

  • Region & country
    Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz County, California, USA
  • Maturity
    Ready 2018 - 2035
  • Colour
    Red
  • Sweetness
    Dry
  • Style
    Still
  • Unit Volume
    Magnum (150cl.)
2012 Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains
Ridge Vineyards

Wines have been made from vines planted on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains for over 100 years: it was a spot that was immediately noted for its potential by winemaking pioneers. It was in 1976, however, that Ridge Vineyards was shot into the limelight with the 1971 Monte Bello, made by legendary winemaker Paul Draper, placing fifth in the Judgement of Paris tasting. Paul has since retired, but his philosophy of low-intervention, organic winemaking continues under Eric Baugher, ensuring the wines continue to express tons of character: they’re some of the most expressive wines we know. Over the years, Ridge have stayed true to their pioneering, individual style of Californian Cabernet: personifying elegance and restraint.

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