RIDGE VINEYARDS 'Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon - Santa Cruz Mountains, Central Coast 2023 Bottle

Description

The Monte Bello vineyard was first planted in 1886, with the inaugural vintage released in 1892. While portions of the vineyard were abandoned in the early 20th century, key Cabernet Sauvignon blocks replanted in the late 1940s became the foundation for the first Ridge Monte Bello in 1962. As more parcels were restored, certain lots consistently produced a more approachable style, leading to a separate bottling initially labelled “Santa Cruz Mountains.” Since 2008, this cuvée has been designated Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, highlighting its Monte Bello origin and distinct character.

The 2023 vintage began with heavy winter rainfall that replenished soils and ended the drought. Cool temperatures persisted throughout the season, significantly extending ripening and pushing harvest into mid-November. Extended fermentations helped achieve optimal colour and tannin integration.

The most accessible Monte Bello parcels were selected for this wine, which was aged for twenty-one months in American oak. Structured yet supple, it will show beautifully over the next decade.

Hand-harvested fruit was destemmed, sorted, and fermented as whole berries on native yeasts before completing full malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in 100% American oak (55% new), with only the minimum effective sulphur used in keeping with Ridge’s minimal-intervention approach.

Deep ruby in colour, the 2023 Estate Cabernet offers aromas of toasty oak and blackberry. The full-bodied palate is structured and vibrant, showing firm tannins, bright acidity and notes of mint on the long, refined finish. This is a poised and expressive Cabernet that captures the mountain freshness, depth and classical structure of the Monte Bello Estate.

13.4% abv
75% Cabernet Sauvignon 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot.

*****

DECANTER 95 points/100
Classic mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a cool vintage in a very cool site, and at Montebello this harvest finished in the middle of November. It has all the timeless notes of California mountain herbals, bay leaf, eucalyptis and manzantia and purple sage. It’s intensely focused, and the tannins are prominent. But elegance is the watchword here. Woodland berries, and sumac with white pepper and a glimpse of lemon zest. Brilliant. - Clive Pursehouse (February 2026)

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points/100
Reviewed by: Matthew Luczy
Drink Date: 2027 - 2035
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate opens with a dark-fruited, slightly dusty and herbal bouquet framed by American oak notes that are already remarkably integrated. The mouthfeel is suave and tense, balancing tensile energy with ample textural breadth. The finish succinctly captures the vintage's characteristics, giving equal weight to vibrant energy, tenacious yet refined tannins and Ridge's classically structured style. This is an exceptional bottling, and while it is somewhat approachable now, a bit more time in the bottle to further integrate its élevage would be beneficial.

VINOUS 94 points/100
Drinking window: 2027 - 2038
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a classically built Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet. Bright, fresh and lifted, it unfurls with layers of bay laurel, sage, tart blueberry and iodine, all presented in a vibrant, juicy, balanced framework that is at once both totally unfussy and completely confident. Well integrated and approachable today, the 2023 is a very fine expression of the Estate Cab.
Billy Norris, June 2026

WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 points/100
This bottling from the famous Monte Bello Vineyard, which also includes 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, begins with aromas of black cherry, mahogany, dark chocolate and mushroom on the nose. The palate's woodspice is prevalent, giving an earthy backbone to the plummy red fruits. — Matt Kettmann