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2016 Ridge Vineyards "Monte Bello" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Ridge Vineyards "Monte Bello" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

100VN
98IWR
97JD
96RP
96W&S
96WS
95DC
95JS

100

Vinous

Review Date: 09/2024
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The 2016 Monte Bello is a masterful expression of this lauded site in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s powerful, broad and infinitely layered, but it also possesses an incredibly finessed tannin structure that speaks clearly and forcefully but yields dutifully. Saturated blueberry, gravel, eucalyptus, charcoal, cedar and India ink build gradually and steadily through the long and sizzling finish. Just beginning to soften and develop beyond the primary stage, it wouldn’t be a crime to open a bottle now, but this has many, many lives left to live and should be even better (if you can fathom) in a few more years. This is what Monte Bello is all about. (BN)

Price: $269.99
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Professional Reviews

98

Int'l Wine Review

Review Date: 11/2019
The 2016 Monte Bello is a drop-dead gorgeous release from Ridge. Composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc this stunning wine begins with seductive aromatics of fresh black currants and dark cherries which are woven together with flowers, graphite, herbs, tobacco and hints of earthy minerals that all take shape beautifully. On the palate this possesses a wonderful full-bodied texture with outstanding structure and remarkable overall balance and concentration. It continues to thoroughly impress as it goes on to display incredible purity and precision all the way through the beautiful long finish. The 2016 has it all, and while it is already extremely appealing, yet could also evolve gracefully for decades. This certainly has the potential to become one of great vintages for Monte Bello. (JD)

97

Jeb Dunnuck

Review Date: 02/2019
Bottled in March of 2018 and a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello offers a more streamlined, elegant, and ultra-classic style compared to the 2014 and 2015, which are slightly bigger, richer wines. Boasting a deep purple color and beautiful purity in its crème de cassis, blueberry, white flowers, and vanilla bean, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, silky tannins, and perfect balance. It doesn’t have the sheer depth of fruit of some of the blockbuster years, yet makes up for it with its incredible purity, poise, and balance. Relatively approachable for a Monte Bello, it’s still going to see its 30th birthday in fine form.

96

Wine Advocate

Review Date: 04/2024
The 2016 Monte Bello is savory and delectable, showing early hints of evolution past its youthful primary phase. Fragrant but reserved at first, aromas of black tea, black truffle, turned earth and dried plums appear. Medium-bodied, succulent and sponge-like on the palate, the finish shows off vibrant, scrumptious acidity with slowly integrating but grippy tannins. Easing into a window of early consumption, this has another two decades of power in it, with further evolution beyond that likely. It contains 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. (ML) 96+
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Notes

98 points, Antonio Galloni for Vinous: "One of the highlights in this tasting, the 2016 Monte Bello has turned out just as beautifully as I hoped it would. Soaring aromatics, bright acids and mid-weight structure give the 2016 a super-classic feel. Clearly, the 2016 is very primary today, with plenty of bright red and purplish berry fruit. More than that, though, the 2016 pulses with energy and simply exceptional balance. Don't miss it!" (6/2019)

Product Details

Origin: Santa Cruz Mountains, California, United States

Type/Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

Alcohol Content: 13.8%

SKU: #1412931

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