Ridge Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards started in 1962 on the Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Winemaker Paul Draper was appointed in 1969, he now draws on over 40 vintages of experience. They shot to fame in 1976 by coming first at the famous Judgement of Paris Tasting. Using traditional methods and minimal intervention they make great Bordeaux blends and Chardonnay from excellent terroir in Monte Bello and Zinfandel in their Sonoma County vineyards.

Prices: In Bond Inc. VAT

Year	Wine	Region	Format	Qty	Score	Price	Wishlist
Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2019 (12x75cl) Inc. VAT: £636.94
2019	Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2019 (12x75cl) Delivery to Storage from 30 Nov 2021	California	12x75cl	1	-	Inc. VAT: £636.94
Ridge Lytton Springs 2019 (12x75cl) Inc. VAT: £470.14
2019	Ridge Lytton Springs 2019 (12x75cl) Delivery to Storage from 30 Nov 2021	California	12x75cl	1	-	Inc. VAT: £470.14
Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £1,336.07
2017	Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (98-100) Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site's limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it's bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage's power. It's still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it's bottled in over a year's time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style. 2 In Stock - Immediate Delivery	California	6x75cl	2	98-100 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,336.07
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2001 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £2,418.47
2001	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2001 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (97) The 2001 Monte Bello is a very atypical vintage for Ridge, attaining a record high alcohol of 14.1% and containing an unprecedented 36% Merlot. Baugher remembers that the grapes retained green, unripe flavors while sugars soared, so he was forced to wait to pick. It's hard not to be seduced by the resulting wine, which wafts from the glass with lavish aromas of ripe plums, black truffles, dark chocolate, cigar ash and loamy soil. It's full-bodied, ample and dramatic, with a broad, expansive attack and a voluptuously layered mid-palate, its sweet fruit complemented by plenty of savory nuance. At this stage, I prefer the 2002, which is almost as generous but better balanced and more Cabernet Sauvignon-driven in personality, but I suspect many tasters will favor the more opulent, sun-kissed 2001. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	1	97 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £2,418.47
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2005 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £1,718.87
2005	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2005 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (97) The 2005 Monte Bello is beginning to drink very well indeed, revealing complex aromas of sweet currant fruit, rich soil, cedar cigar box and sweet spices. With time in the glass, nuances of dark chocolate and loamy soil emerge too. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with fine-grained structuring tannins, the first signs of emerging savory nuance and a bright, beautifully focused finish. As it approaches age 13, the 2005 is still very youthful—indeed, this particular bottle was more reserved and taut than the last four or five that I've encountered—so there's certainly no rush to drink it. Cropped at just under one ton per acre, the 2005 is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.4% natural alcohol. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	1	97 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,718.87
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2006 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £1,576.07
2006	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2006 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (94+) As it approaches age twelve, the 2006 Monte Bello is still quite reserved on the nose and on the palate, unwinding in the glass with a bouquet of cassis, cherries, pencil lead, dark chocolate, cigar box and dried rose petal. On the palate, it's full-bodied, layered and still firmly structured, carrying considerable extract and concluding with chalky grip. Rich, concentrated and powerful, the raw materials are very impressive but they're still wrapped up in some formidable structure. Eric Baugher describes the 2006 Monte Bello as a sleeper vintage: backward and tannic when it was young, and released in a challenging economy, and that's the case today. Like the 1995 vintage, I suspect this will be a Monte Bello that really hits its stride at age 20 rather than age ten, but patient consumers with time on their side should give it serious consideration. Original Wooden case 2 In Stock - Immediate Delivery	California	6x75cl	2	94+ (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,576.07
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2011 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £2,316.47
2011	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2011 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (93-95) 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. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2031. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	1	93-95 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £2,316.47
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2012 (1x600cl) Inc. VAT: £1,951.02
2012	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2012 (1x600cl) Wine Advocate (96) The 2012 Monte Bello is a beauty, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of plums, blackberries, bitter chocolate, black truffles, cigar tobacco and hints of crème de cassis. Its new oak is already well integrated. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, richly tannic and very deep, with a layered, concentrated core of fruit framed by chalky, fine-grained tannins. The 2012 is still quite youthfully chewy at this early stage, but there's a certain lavishness to its ripe blackberry fruit that suggests this will be a dramatic, even decadent Monte Bello in the style of the 2002 when it reaches maturity. Late September heat made for a record-setting harvest in only 16 days. The 2012 is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, and it saw a small water addition to finish at 13.8% alcohol. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	1x600cl	1	96 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,951.02
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2012 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £1,356.47
2012	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2012 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (96) The 2012 Monte Bello is a beauty, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of plums, blackberries, bitter chocolate, black truffles, cigar tobacco and hints of crème de cassis. Its new oak is already well integrated. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, richly tannic and very deep, with a layered, concentrated core of fruit framed by chalky, fine-grained tannins. The 2012 is still quite youthfully chewy at this early stage, but there's a certain lavishness to its ripe blackberry fruit that suggests this will be a dramatic, even decadent Monte Bello in the style of the 2002 when it reaches maturity. Late September heat made for a record-setting harvest in only 16 days. The 2012 is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, and it saw a small water addition to finish at 13.8% alcohol. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	3	96 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,356.47
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2014 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £1,285.67
2014	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2014 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (97) A worthy successor to the profound 2013 and the fruit of the earliest harvest on record at this address, the 2014 Monte Bello is still quite youthfully expressive, wafting from the glass with an exuberant bouquet of minty dark berries, plums, black cherries, cigar box and a nicely integrated framing of new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and intense, with a rich chassis of structuring tannins, which are currently largely concealed in a succulent core of fruit, and bright balancing acids. In profile, it's structurally more open-knit and giving than the massive 2013, and I suspect it will reach its plateau sooner, but it should enjoy over three decades of longevity. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, and it attained 13.5% natural alcohol. The drought had a positive effect on concentration, observed winemaker Eric Baugher when we corresponded shortly after harvest, adding that the wines are opaque in color, with rich tannins and marvellous fruit. Four years later, that remains an accurate characterization of the 2014 Monte Bello. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	2	97 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,285.67
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2015 (12x37.5cl) Inc. VAT: £1,285.67
2015	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2015 (12x37.5cl) Wine Advocate (95+) At this early stage, the 2015 Monte Bello is all about potential. I followed a bottle over several days and only witnessed improvement. The wine unfurls in the glass with a rich bouquet of cassis, ripe plums, espresso roast, black tea and baking chocolate, lavishly framed by minty, spicy new oak—which is often at its most prominent at exactly this stage, when the wine is shutting down after bottling. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with rich, velvety tannins and beautifully succulent, even tangy acidity that lends amazing lift on the finish. The most obvious analogy is the 2005 vintage, though it also evokes a more elegant version of the 1995 Monte Bello. It's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.5% natural alcohol. Since the wine appears to be shutting down, I'd recommend forgetting it until its tenth birthday. Given its structure and balance, it should enjoy remarkable longevity. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	12x37.5cl	1	95+ (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,285.67
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2015 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £1,285.67
2015	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2015 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (95+) At this early stage, the 2015 Monte Bello is all about potential. I followed a bottle over several days and only witnessed improvement. The wine unfurls in the glass with a rich bouquet of cassis, ripe plums, espresso roast, black tea and baking chocolate, lavishly framed by minty, spicy new oak—which is often at its most prominent at exactly this stage, when the wine is shutting down after bottling. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with rich, velvety tannins and beautifully succulent, even tangy acidity that lends amazing lift on the finish. The most obvious analogy is the 2005 vintage, though it also evokes a more elegant version of the 1995 Monte Bello. It's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.5% natural alcohol. Since the wine appears to be shutting down, I'd recommend forgetting it until its tenth birthday. Given its structure and balance, it should enjoy remarkable longevity. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	4	95+ (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,285.67
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2016 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £1,216.07
2016	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2016 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (96) The 2016 Monte Bello is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in 100% new oak (98% American and 2% French). It has a medium to deep ruby color and is youthfully coiled, slowly developing scents of dark chocolate, pencil shavings, cedar, loamy soil, dried flowers, licorice, blackcurrant and black cherry with red berry sparks and exotic spices. The palate is full-bodied and youthfully firm, slowly unfolding with mineral-tinged fruits. It has a frame of firm, pixelated tannins and seamlessly woven acidity, finishing very long and full of latent layers. 1 In Stock - Immediate Delivery	California	6x75cl	1	96 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,216.07
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (1x300cl) Inc. VAT: £1,070.31
2017	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (1x300cl) Wine Advocate (98-100) Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site's limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it's bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage's power. It's still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it's bottled in over a year's time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	1x300cl	1	98-100 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,070.31
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (1x600cl) Inc. VAT: £2,120.22
2017	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (1x600cl) Wine Advocate (98-100) Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site's limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it's bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage's power. It's still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it's bottled in over a year's time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	1x600cl	1	98-100 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £2,120.22
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (3x150cl) Inc. VAT: £1,380.47
2017	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (3x150cl) Wine Advocate (98-100) Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site's limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it's bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage's power. It's still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it's bottled in over a year's time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	3x150cl	2	98-100 (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,380.47
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2018 (6x75cl) Inc. VAT: £1,372.07
2018	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2018 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (94-97+) I tasted the 2018 Monte Bello as a finished barrel sample during the annual Ridge Monte Bello Tasting Final Assemblage event; the blend was 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 11% Petite Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and youthfully primary nose with boysenberry, blueberry jam, blackcurrant, dark chocolate-covered cherries, cigar box, graphite, loamy earth and oodles of floral character. The palate is medium to full-bodied and packed full of flavor layers, knit by very fine, ripe, pixelated tannins and great freshness and finishing very long. Delivery to Storage from 19 Sep 2021	California	6x75cl	1	94-97+ (WA) Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £1,372.07
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2020 (3x75cl) Inc. VAT: £572.03
2020	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2020 (3x75cl) Opaque ruby colour with ripe cassis, plum, and redcurrant fruit, toasty oak barrel spice, vanilla, fennel, juniper berry, bay laurel, well-integrated velvety tannins, full mid-palate, firm acid, long, sumptuous finish. Delivery to Storage from 29 Sep 2023	California	3x75cl	1	- Read Review/Description	Inc. VAT: £572.03	This wine is strictly available on allocation only. If you are are interested in applying for an allocation, please click this button and an account manager will be in touch if we can process your request.

Year	Wine	Region	Format	Qty	Score	Price	Wishlist
Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2019 (12x75cl) In Bond: £504.00
2019	Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2019 (12x75cl) Delivery to Storage from 30 Nov 2021	California	12x75cl	1	-	In Bond: £504.00
Ridge Lytton Springs 2019 (12x75cl) In Bond: £365.00
2019	Ridge Lytton Springs 2019 (12x75cl) Delivery to Storage from 30 Nov 2021	California	12x75cl	1	-	In Bond: £365.00
Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,100.00
2017	Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (98-100) Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site's limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it's bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage's power. It's still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it's bottled in over a year's time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style. 2 In Stock - Immediate Delivery	California	6x75cl	2	98-100 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,100.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2001 (6x75cl) In Bond: £2,002.00
2001	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2001 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (97) The 2001 Monte Bello is a very atypical vintage for Ridge, attaining a record high alcohol of 14.1% and containing an unprecedented 36% Merlot. Baugher remembers that the grapes retained green, unripe flavors while sugars soared, so he was forced to wait to pick. It's hard not to be seduced by the resulting wine, which wafts from the glass with lavish aromas of ripe plums, black truffles, dark chocolate, cigar ash and loamy soil. It's full-bodied, ample and dramatic, with a broad, expansive attack and a voluptuously layered mid-palate, its sweet fruit complemented by plenty of savory nuance. At this stage, I prefer the 2002, which is almost as generous but better balanced and more Cabernet Sauvignon-driven in personality, but I suspect many tasters will favor the more opulent, sun-kissed 2001. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	1	97 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £2,002.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2005 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,419.00
2005	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2005 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (97) The 2005 Monte Bello is beginning to drink very well indeed, revealing complex aromas of sweet currant fruit, rich soil, cedar cigar box and sweet spices. With time in the glass, nuances of dark chocolate and loamy soil emerge too. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with fine-grained structuring tannins, the first signs of emerging savory nuance and a bright, beautifully focused finish. As it approaches age 13, the 2005 is still very youthful—indeed, this particular bottle was more reserved and taut than the last four or five that I've encountered—so there's certainly no rush to drink it. Cropped at just under one ton per acre, the 2005 is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.4% natural alcohol. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	1	97 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,419.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2006 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,300.00
2006	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2006 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (94+) As it approaches age twelve, the 2006 Monte Bello is still quite reserved on the nose and on the palate, unwinding in the glass with a bouquet of cassis, cherries, pencil lead, dark chocolate, cigar box and dried rose petal. On the palate, it's full-bodied, layered and still firmly structured, carrying considerable extract and concluding with chalky grip. Rich, concentrated and powerful, the raw materials are very impressive but they're still wrapped up in some formidable structure. Eric Baugher describes the 2006 Monte Bello as a sleeper vintage: backward and tannic when it was young, and released in a challenging economy, and that's the case today. Like the 1995 vintage, I suspect this will be a Monte Bello that really hits its stride at age 20 rather than age ten, but patient consumers with time on their side should give it serious consideration. Original Wooden case 2 In Stock - Immediate Delivery	California	6x75cl	2	94+ (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,300.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2011 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,917.00
2011	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2011 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (93-95) 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. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2031. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	1	93-95 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,917.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2012 (1x600cl) In Bond: £1,608.00
2012	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2012 (1x600cl) Wine Advocate (96) The 2012 Monte Bello is a beauty, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of plums, blackberries, bitter chocolate, black truffles, cigar tobacco and hints of crème de cassis. Its new oak is already well integrated. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, richly tannic and very deep, with a layered, concentrated core of fruit framed by chalky, fine-grained tannins. The 2012 is still quite youthfully chewy at this early stage, but there's a certain lavishness to its ripe blackberry fruit that suggests this will be a dramatic, even decadent Monte Bello in the style of the 2002 when it reaches maturity. Late September heat made for a record-setting harvest in only 16 days. The 2012 is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, and it saw a small water addition to finish at 13.8% alcohol. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	1x600cl	1	96 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,608.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2012 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,117.00
2012	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2012 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (96) The 2012 Monte Bello is a beauty, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of plums, blackberries, bitter chocolate, black truffles, cigar tobacco and hints of crème de cassis. Its new oak is already well integrated. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, richly tannic and very deep, with a layered, concentrated core of fruit framed by chalky, fine-grained tannins. The 2012 is still quite youthfully chewy at this early stage, but there's a certain lavishness to its ripe blackberry fruit that suggests this will be a dramatic, even decadent Monte Bello in the style of the 2002 when it reaches maturity. Late September heat made for a record-setting harvest in only 16 days. The 2012 is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, and it saw a small water addition to finish at 13.8% alcohol. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	3	96 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,117.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2014 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,058.00
2014	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2014 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (97) A worthy successor to the profound 2013 and the fruit of the earliest harvest on record at this address, the 2014 Monte Bello is still quite youthfully expressive, wafting from the glass with an exuberant bouquet of minty dark berries, plums, black cherries, cigar box and a nicely integrated framing of new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and intense, with a rich chassis of structuring tannins, which are currently largely concealed in a succulent core of fruit, and bright balancing acids. In profile, it's structurally more open-knit and giving than the massive 2013, and I suspect it will reach its plateau sooner, but it should enjoy over three decades of longevity. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, and it attained 13.5% natural alcohol. The drought had a positive effect on concentration, observed winemaker Eric Baugher when we corresponded shortly after harvest, adding that the wines are opaque in color, with rich tannins and marvellous fruit. Four years later, that remains an accurate characterization of the 2014 Monte Bello. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	2	97 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,058.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2015 (12x37.5cl) In Bond: £1,058.00
2015	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2015 (12x37.5cl) Wine Advocate (95+) At this early stage, the 2015 Monte Bello is all about potential. I followed a bottle over several days and only witnessed improvement. The wine unfurls in the glass with a rich bouquet of cassis, ripe plums, espresso roast, black tea and baking chocolate, lavishly framed by minty, spicy new oak—which is often at its most prominent at exactly this stage, when the wine is shutting down after bottling. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with rich, velvety tannins and beautifully succulent, even tangy acidity that lends amazing lift on the finish. The most obvious analogy is the 2005 vintage, though it also evokes a more elegant version of the 1995 Monte Bello. It's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.5% natural alcohol. Since the wine appears to be shutting down, I'd recommend forgetting it until its tenth birthday. Given its structure and balance, it should enjoy remarkable longevity. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	12x37.5cl	1	95+ (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,058.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2015 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,058.00
2015	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2015 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (95+) At this early stage, the 2015 Monte Bello is all about potential. I followed a bottle over several days and only witnessed improvement. The wine unfurls in the glass with a rich bouquet of cassis, ripe plums, espresso roast, black tea and baking chocolate, lavishly framed by minty, spicy new oak—which is often at its most prominent at exactly this stage, when the wine is shutting down after bottling. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with rich, velvety tannins and beautifully succulent, even tangy acidity that lends amazing lift on the finish. The most obvious analogy is the 2005 vintage, though it also evokes a more elegant version of the 1995 Monte Bello. It's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.5% natural alcohol. Since the wine appears to be shutting down, I'd recommend forgetting it until its tenth birthday. Given its structure and balance, it should enjoy remarkable longevity. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	6x75cl	4	95+ (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,058.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2016 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,000.00
2016	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2016 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (96) The 2016 Monte Bello is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in 100% new oak (98% American and 2% French). It has a medium to deep ruby color and is youthfully coiled, slowly developing scents of dark chocolate, pencil shavings, cedar, loamy soil, dried flowers, licorice, blackcurrant and black cherry with red berry sparks and exotic spices. The palate is full-bodied and youthfully firm, slowly unfolding with mineral-tinged fruits. It has a frame of firm, pixelated tannins and seamlessly woven acidity, finishing very long and full of latent layers. 1 In Stock - Immediate Delivery	California	6x75cl	1	96 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,000.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (1x300cl) In Bond: £883.00
2017	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (1x300cl) Wine Advocate (98-100) Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site's limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it's bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage's power. It's still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it's bottled in over a year's time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	1x300cl	1	98-100 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £883.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (1x600cl) In Bond: £1,749.00
2017	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (1x600cl) Wine Advocate (98-100) Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site's limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it's bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage's power. It's still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it's bottled in over a year's time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	1x600cl	1	98-100 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,749.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (3x150cl) In Bond: £1,137.00
2017	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2017 (3x150cl) Wine Advocate (98-100) Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site's limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it's bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage's power. It's still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it's bottled in over a year's time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style. Delivery to Storage from 24 Oct 2021	California	3x150cl	2	98-100 (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,137.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2018 (6x75cl) In Bond: £1,130.00
2018	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2018 (6x75cl) Wine Advocate (94-97+) I tasted the 2018 Monte Bello as a finished barrel sample during the annual Ridge Monte Bello Tasting Final Assemblage event; the blend was 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 11% Petite Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and youthfully primary nose with boysenberry, blueberry jam, blackcurrant, dark chocolate-covered cherries, cigar box, graphite, loamy earth and oodles of floral character. The palate is medium to full-bodied and packed full of flavor layers, knit by very fine, ripe, pixelated tannins and great freshness and finishing very long. Delivery to Storage from 19 Sep 2021	California	6x75cl	1	94-97+ (WA) Read Review/Description	In Bond: £1,130.00
Ridge Monte Bello Red 2020 (3x75cl) In Bond: £470.00
2020	Ridge Monte Bello Red 2020 (3x75cl) Opaque ruby colour with ripe cassis, plum, and redcurrant fruit, toasty oak barrel spice, vanilla, fennel, juniper berry, bay laurel, well-integrated velvety tannins, full mid-palate, firm acid, long, sumptuous finish. Delivery to Storage from 29 Sep 2023	California	3x75cl	1	- Read Review/Description	In Bond: £470.00	This wine is strictly available on allocation only. If you are are interested in applying for an allocation, please click this button and an account manager will be in touch if we can process your request.

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Cru is one of the world’s leading fine wine retailers. We have experts working across the globe serving customers in over 40 different countries. We operate from four major hubs in London, Hong Kong, Bordeaux, Singapore and Beijing, from which we offer advice and impeccable service through both traditional and digital channels. We are very focused on using technology to make the experience of fine wine buying more fun and convenient.

Cru is a specialist retailer. We source only the world’s very best wines and spirits and sell to a limited number of discerning buyers. We hold numerous events through which we showcase our wines and get to know our clients even better. We store a significant amount of wine for our clients and offer guidance on wine portfolio construction.

Cru offers an internationally acclaimed selection of red wine, white wine and Champagne. We help customers around the world buy wine from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, Spain, the Loire and Rhone Valley and from the New World.

We stock extensive collections of the world’s finest wines, including Château Lafite, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Haut Brion, DRC and Penfolds.

Cru was founded in 2014 by co-founders Simon Farr and Jeremy Howard. But our roots as a fine wine team go back to the early 1980s in the UK, and back to 2010 in Hong Kong.

Mr Simon Farr: a hugely respected 40 year wine industry veteran who was involved in the founding and growth of two of Britain's most successful wine enterprises (Majestic and Bibendum). Jeremy Howard is a former investment banker who has been building ecommerce businesses in fine wine since 2008.

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