Description
We have a small amount of Ridge Vineyards’ wonderful Estate Cabernet, from the 2023 vintage. This ‘Estate’ vineyard is the same as where their cult Monte Bello red is grown. Vines from this venerable vineyard were due for replanting, and we had to be patient for the new grapevines to produce a crop. We’re very pleased they did! The Estate Cabernet 2023 is delicious, well-priced given the high quality, and even better than preceding vintages.
TASTING NOTE: Ridge’s ‘Estate’ Cabernet is from the famous Monte Bello vineyard in Santa Cruz, but is made in a slightly more accessible style compared to their iconic ‘Monte Bello’. The result is an excellent, collectable wine with commanding flavour and structure, that can be cellared for many years, but doesn’t need to be stored as long as Monte Bello. 2023 was a cool vintage for the Monte Bello vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, so the style of Estate Cabernet is more elegant and lighter on its feet than in warmer years, and the alcohol is very balanced at 13.4%. It has a luxurious, deep red colour, and aromas of oak spice (from 17 months in American oak), as well as blackberry, nutmeg and clove notes. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied and well-structured, with vibrant acidity and generous tannins that are noticeably fine in texture.
FOOD PAIRING, SERVING AND STORING: This is a polished, precise, flavourful red that needs several hours of decanting, or cellaring anywhere up to 2035. It’s a very smart buy indeed, and, as well as its connection to the flagship Monte Bello, a truly great wine in its own right.
ABOUT: Ridge Vineyards based in the Santa Cruz mountains (South of San Fransisco) was established in 1962. Paul Draper took up the role of winemaker in 1969 and is still involved in making wines at the winery to this day. They champion sustainable farming and winery practices. Ridge, like other California estates, received almost instant praise in the world of wine after California performed so well in the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting – beating some of France’s most revered wines. The 2023 Estate Cabernet is from the Monte Bello vineyard and is grown organically, from a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot grapes, aged in American oak barrels for 17 months.
