The 2009 Monte Bello ,72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot is simply magnificent. Layers of dark red fruit, flowers, spices and graphite are all woven together in this utterly impeccable wine. The 2009 is an especially huge, intense Monte Bello, yet a sexy, silky core of fruit lies within its imposing frame. Everything comes together in this glorious, radiant wine. (AG)

The 2009 Ridge Monte Bello is a world-class wine of epic proportions. It delivers top quality pure black fruits, cassis, pencil shavings, graphite, charcoal, coffee and even fresh floral. This wine has it all, balance, amazing precision and focus, depth, along with a seamless structure and an ultra-long, tight gripping finish. While still in its infancy, it is hard to find many flaws in the wine right now. It's not everyday you come across a wine of this caliber, and while you can get away with this approaching now, it should also continue to evolve for a quarter century for those willing to wait. (JD) 97+

Opaque ruby. Assertive redcurrant, cherry and pipe tobacco aromas, with suave floral and mineral notes gaining strength with air. Fresh and precise, offering deeply concentrated red berry and bitter cherry flavors, a supple texture and slow-building sweetness. Becomes more exotically floral with air, finishing sappy and long, with excellent clarity and gentle tannic grip. An extremely promising young Monte Bello that smoothly melds power and vivacity. (JR)