2023 Ridge Monte Bello - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (6/22/2024)
Final assemblage tasting up on the hill. 96% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. This is the highest % of CS that I can remember and the resulting wine resembles a Napa Cabernet rather than a Bordeaux blend. The nose is obviously primary but already shows the influence of toasty, sweet American oak in addition to a lovely black currant and an earthy element. Lovely dark inky fruit, supple with a velvety texture that is almost opulent with just the right amount of grip. This looks to be outstanding. (93-95 points)
Larry is right. 2020 was an anomaly because of the fires. No such issues in 2021-3. 2023 is an excellent wine based on tasting it at the first assemblage last month. I’m attending tomorrow’s event and will taste it again. I don’t expect any qualitative differences.
I have no skin in the game. As of the 2021 vintage, I sell my allocation to a friend. I’m 70 years old so it makes absolutely no sense for me to buy and cellar for myself. I did return 2020 to Ridge for a refund.
I’m in a similar situation, that I’m nearing too old to wait for the wines to be ready to drink. I did send back my 2020 wines and was reimbursed. Sadly, from their poor reaction to the 2020 vintage, they lost a long term buyer.
I’m also a longtime Ridge customer, I live 20 minutes from the winery. I haven’t cracked a 2020 yet, but if I can detect the smoke taint I will return the shipment. But either way I won’t damn a 40 year relationship with the folks at Ridge based on one mistake. I’ve had so many wonderful tastings and memories up on the hill (some with Larry Stein as we taste in similar wine groups) that outweigh a decision on releasing the 2020. My opinion, and I fully respect your opinion to drop them.
Based on my impressions yesterday, I think it’s going to be a terrific MB. It’s more of a vin de garde than usual. Not that I’ll ever know, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it goes 30-40 years and longer.
Wes Barton brought this. 55+ years old. He said it came from Fran Bennion’s cellar. It was absolutely amazing.
Thanks Larry. I picked the wrong day to attend the event, I would love to have tried the 67. Michael Menke has poured some 70s MB for us, but none from the 60s. The oldest MB in my cellar is 1981.
He was there Sunday, but too late for the '67. I did hold out, hoping he’d show up, so it was one of our later bottles opened. His brother Doug got a pour. I did get Michael some of the '78 Geyserville. Anyway, he’s up for tastings, as am I. Any excuse to open some bottles.
