2015 Ridge Vineyards "Monte Bello" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon (OWC)

The breathtaking nose of blackcurrants, forest berries, cedar and wet earth pulls you into this extremely concentrated but very elegant and precise masterpiece. The super-fine tannins are wrapped in perfectly ripe fruit right through the spectacular finish, with its notes of crushed stone and bitter chocolate. A cuvée of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.

The 2015 Monte Bello is another brilliant wine from the team at Ridge Vineyards, as this wine comes from a wonderful growing season, which certainly reflects in the quality. Composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc this instantly begins to impress with its seductive aromatics of ripe blackberries and cassis woven together with spices, graphite and roasted coffee which all take shape in the glass. On the palate this possesses a gorgeous rich velvety texture with beautifully integrated tannins. It continues to impress with its incredible complex flavors and beautifully concentrated fruit, which is balanced by lovely underlying acidity that makes it nearly impossible to resist, even at this youthful age. The 2015 Monte Bello has it all, and while this is already utterly fascinating, it will only prove to become even more compelling over time. (JD)