2019 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello

• Country: United States
• State: California
• Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains
• Producer: Ridge Vineyards
• Product: Monte Bello
• Size: 750 ml
• Varietal: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Merlot 3% Petit Verdot 3% Cabernet Franc
• Wine Type: Red Wine

97 points Wine Advocate

"The 2019 Monte Bello includes 9% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. It has a poised, graceful nose of fresh sage and lilac with savory, meaty aromas in the background. The palate is medium-bodied but with admirable stuffing and concentration, leading to a springboard finish of pencil lead, gravel and pleasing, refreshing acidity. The standard élevage in new American oak is still years away from fully integrating, as evidenced in the herbal, upright but pleasant posture of the finish. This is a confidently elegant, high-toned iteration of this iconic wine that should drink and develop beautifully over the next three decades."