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Tasting notes
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. 172 tons from 83.5 acres. Torrential winter rains were followed by a long, mild spring, early flowering and unusually large yields – they dropped nearly 20% of the crop, bringing yields down to two tons per acre. Earliest vintage since 1962. Indigenous-yeast primary fermentation and malolactic conversion of each vineyard section separately. 18 months in barrel (90% new air-dried American oak, 10% new French oak). Magnum. Very deep blackish garnet. Saline edge on massive ripeness. Dry finish and really sappy. Beautifully balanced. Still some acidity. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The product of a generous crop and a balmy vintage, the 1997 Monte Bello continues to show beautifully, wafting from the glass with an expressive bouquet of cassis, dried cherries, menthol and loamy soil, lavishly framed by new American oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, supple and open-knit, with largely melted tannins and a generous personality, which is all tied together by the bright thread of acidity that's such a signature of this site. Despite being seemingly fully mature, an open bottle held up beautifully over three days. Even after extensive crop thinning, yields in 1997 were around two tons per acre—high by this bottling's modest standards—and the blend was 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, attaining 12.9% natural alcohol.
Bright, dark red-ruby. Sexy, lifted aromas of cassis, redcurrant, licorice, tree bark, mint and roasted herbs. Intensely flavored and surprisingly firm and energetic, with sweet plum, currant, tobacco and earth flavors lingering through a persistent finish. Tannins are firm and dusty but fine-grained. There's nothing at all over the top about this midweight, focused, juicy wine. Was it fleshier five years ago? In any event, it's still juicy and lively today. (ST)
Effortlessly successful. Salty and savoury with great balance and soft maturity. Really lifted with that characteristic balsam note. (JR)
About the producer
Best known for its iconic Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards makes some of California’s finest wines – particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Long a pioneer of sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, Ridge makes an extensive range from Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
Red
Dry