RIDGE VINEYARDS Monte Bello Red - Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, Central Coast 2001 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello Red 2001 is a distinguished expression of Nebbiolo that captures the unique terroir of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Predominantly a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, this wine showcases a rich history of quality. It reveals an alluring profile of dark fruit, cedar, and tobacco, complemented by silky tannins that create a luxurious mouthfeel. Crafted using traditional techniques, the wine underwent spontaneous fermentation in a mix of small and large oak barrels, enhancing its complexity. Rated 98 points by both Vinous and James Suckling, and 97 by The Wine Advocate, this exceptional vintage is ideal for aging, promising delightful evolution while maintaining vibrant character and balance.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello Red from the 2001 vintage is a remarkable wine that embodies the unique terroir of the Santa Cruz Mountains, part of the San Francisco Bay and Central Coast regions. Known for its rich history and commitment to quality, Ridge Vineyards has established a reputation for producing exceptional wines that consistently showcase the characteristics of the vineyard.

The 2001 Monte Bello is predominantly a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by smaller amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. This blend is a product of meticulous vineyard management, where the grapes are grown at high elevations, benefiting from excellent diurnal temperature variation that helps in achieving ideal ripeness while preserving acidity. The grapes were carefully selected and harvested at optimal maturity, showcasing the flavours and nuances specific to the Monte Bello site.

Upon tasting, the 2001 Monte Bello reveals a deep, complex profile that includes dark fruit aromas such as blackcurrant and blackberry, along with notes of cedar, tobacco, and a hint of vanillin from oak aging. The palate is full-bodied, with rich, concentrated flavours and well-integrated tannins that impart a silky mouthfeel. The wine showcases structure and depth, indicative of its capacity to age gracefully for years to come.

Ridge Vineyards employs traditional winemaking techniques, allowing the wine to undergo spontaneous fermentation in a combination of small and large oak barrels, which helps to develop its complexity. The 2001 vintage has benefited from significant bottle aging, allowing it to evolve beautifully over time, revealing additional layers of tertiary aromas and flavours.

Overall, the 2001 Monte Bello Red is a testament to Ridge Vineyards' artisanal approach, showcasing a harmonious balance between fruit, acidity, and oak influence. This wine not only exemplifies the potential of the Santa Cruz Mountains but also reflects the exceptional craftsmanship that Ridge Vineyards is known for, making it a sought-after addition to any serious wine collection.

VINOUS 98 points
Drinking Window 2017 - 2051
From: Ridge Monte Bello: Past, Present and Future (Jul 2015)
What a pleasure it is to taste the 2001 Monte Bello. A wine that is just beginning to enter the early part of its plateau of maturity, the 2001 is magnificently complete. The flavors remain quite fresh, but there is plenty of aromatic complexity in the glass. Sweet dark cherry, plum, spice and licorice meld into the super-expressive finish. At nearly fourteen years of age, the 2001 is still remarkably young and intense. Readers who own the 2001 are in for a real treat, to say the least. Incidentally, this is the only vintage of Monte Bello to top 14% in alcohol. Opulence and classicism can indeed coexist, as the 2001 makes it abundantly clear. - By Antonio Galloni on June 2015

JAMES SUCKLING 98 points
"Expansive black-fruit aromas, plus some mulberry and bitter chocolate, make this mature Californian red hard to resist. The balance of mouth-filling richness with fine tannins gives this a sensual, velvety mouth-feel, followed by chalky minerality and bright acidity that create fantastic tension at the finish. A cuvee of 56% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot and 8% petit verdot." - Stuart Pigott

THE WINE ADVOCATE 97 points
Drink Date: 2011 - 2030
The 2001 Monte Bello is a very atypical vintage for Ridge, attaining a record high alcohol of 14.1% and containing an unprecedented 36% Merlot. Baugher remembers that the grapes retained green, unripe flavors while sugars soared, so he was forced to wait to pick. It's hard not to be seduced by the resulting wine, which wafts from the glass with lavish aromas of ripe plums, black truffles, dark chocolate, cigar ash and loamy soil. It's full-bodied, ample and dramatic, with a broad, expansive attack and a voluptuously layered mid-palate, its sweet fruit complemented by plenty of savory nuance. At this stage, I prefer the 2002, which is almost as generous but better balanced and more Cabernet Sauvignon-driven in personality, but I suspect many tasters will favor the more opulent, sun-kissed 2001. - William Kelley

JANCIS ROBINSON 18.5 points
Dark crimson. Intense and well-melded nose. Sweet and really quite luscious with a tannic structure still in evidence. Really very gorgeous now with beautiful balance. This balsam note again – so refreshing and the acidity keeps this wine from heft. Great for drinking now. (JR)

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Stephen Brook
(at London, 25 Oct 2022)
Part of Ridge Monte Bello retrospective: 21 vintages of the California classic
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2032
After two decades the deep colour is just starting to evolve, as is the nose, which now shows leafy and tobacco aromas while retaining the firm black fruits so evident when the wine was young. The palate is now velvety and supple, with integrated tannins that are not too grippy. The assertive acidity threads through the wine but it's not aggressive and the finish is sweet and long. Incidentally, one of the very few Monte Bellos to surpass 14% alcohol, though it doesn't show.

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ABOUT RIDGE VINEYARDS
Ridge Vineyards is a distinguished winery located in California, recognized for its premium wines and commitment to sustainable farming practices. Established in 1962, Ridge is particularly noted for its exceptional Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as its innovative winemaking techniques.

The winery has two main estate vineyards: Monte Bello in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Lytton Springs in Sonoma County. Both locations are celebrated for their unique terroirs and climate, which play a crucial role in the quality of the grapes.

Ridge specializes in Zinfandel but also produces a variety of other varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and various blends. Their Zinfandels are especially known for their depth and complexity.

Ridge Vineyards places a strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture, employing organic and dry-farming techniques that minimize water usage and enhance the wines' natural flavors. The winery follows a minimal intervention approach to winemaking, allowing the characteristics of both the fruit and the terroir to shine through, with an emphasis on natural fermentation and aging in oak barrels.

The wines from Ridge have earned numerous awards and accolades from critics, often highlighted for their quality and aging potential. The Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon is frequently recognized as one of California's top wines.

Founded by a group of friends, including winemaker Paul Draper, Ridge has established a reputation in the wine industry, with Draper's influence continuing to reflect the winery's dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Ridge Vineyards remains a leading name in California's wine scene, known for its commitment to excellence, sustainability, and a rich winemaking heritage.