Monte Bello 2016 - Ridge

Monte Bello 2016 — Ridge Vineyards

The Monte Bello 2016 from Ridge Vineyards is one of California’s iconic great red wines. Sourced from the heights of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it combines the depth of mountain Cabernet Sauvignon with freshness, tension and mineral precision, the hallmarks of Monte Bello’s unique identity.

The 2016 vintage offers a remarkable balance between power and finesse. Blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry, cedar, graphite, spice, violet and crushed stone shape a dense, vibrant and perfectly structured wine, with a long, fresh and energetic finish.

Terroir and winemaking

Monte Bello comes from Ridge’s historic vineyard, planted at altitude on a cool, limestone-influenced and windswept terroir. These conditions produce wines that are more vertical than solar, with firm acidity, deep tannins and exceptional ageing potential.

The 2016 blend is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged for 18 months in barrel, in Ridge’s traditional style, preserving fruit precision, vintage energy and the depth of the Monte Bello site.

Tasting notes

The 2016 vintage and ageing potential

The 2016 vintage benefited from rare balance: welcome winter rains after several dry years, a moderate summer, cool nights and slow ripening. At Monte Bello, these conditions produced a wine that is concentrated, tense and remarkably precise.

Still young, this wine can be enjoyed after careful aeration, but its true potential will unfold with time. It will gain further complexity around cedar, tobacco, truffle, graphite and melted spice. Serve at around 16 to 17°C, in large glasses.