Smoky black, plummy fruits, graphite, violets, and that classic Monte Bello oak profile all shine in the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello, and it's concentrated, full-bodied, and structured on the palate, with a beautiful core of fruit yet rock-solid aacidity and ripe tannins. While it's a touch foursquare and gangly at present, it's nevertheless a gorgeous effort that's 5-7 years away from the early stages of its prime drinking window. It will have 40+ years of overall longevity and is an utter classic from this estate.

The 2015 Monte Bello is just as phenomenal in this tasting as it has always been. Explosive and powerful in the glass, with fabulous textural richness, the 2015 has a lot to say. Super-ripe red and purplish berry fruit, rose petal and spice add myriad shades of complexity as this towering Monte Bello shows off its personality and pedigree. Rain during bloom reduced the crop significantly. Moderate temperatures with no heat spikes led to a long, relatively cool growing season. (AG)

One of California's best-known wines, the Ridge Monte Bello was first produced in 1962, with the original blocks of the Monte Bello vineyard itself being planted as far back as 1886. It is a wine rich in history, with the 1971 vintage placing 5th in the legendary Judgement of Paris tasting in 1976. The 2015 vintage is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, with native yeasts being used for fermentation. Sourced from 22 of the 25 Monte Bello parcels, the wine is aged in 97% American and 3% French oak for 16 months. (Panel Tasting)