RIDGE VINEYARDS Monte Bello Red - Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, Central Coast 2014 Bottle

Description

A monumental vintage of this legendary Santa Cruz Mountains icon. Born from a drought year, the wine possesses extraordinary concentration and structural depth. The nose is a masterclass in complexity, revealing layers of crème de cassis, violets, and graphite, underpinned by a distinct limestone minerality unique to this high-altitude site.

On the palate, it is remarkably precise; firm, chalky tannins provide a backbone for flavours of blackcurrant, liquorice, and savoury tobacco. The use of fine American oak is impeccably integrated, adding a hint of exotic spice without masking the site’s terroir. Although powerful, its vibrant acidity ensures incredible poise. This 2014 is an aristocratic red, possessing the immense longevity and elegance required to evolve for several decades.

*****

JAMES SUCKLING 98
A deep well of black fruit, together with notes of raw meat, savory and walnuts. Considering how compact and powerful this wine is, it has startling freshness and lightness of touch on the front- and mid-palates. The serious tannins build to a stunning crescendo at the imposing, velvety finish. A cuvee of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 18% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 2% of petit verdot. Tasted at the Thomas Kammeier Monte Bello vertical. Drink or hold.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 97
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Drink Date: 2024 - 2045
A worthy successor to the profound 2013 and the fruit of the earliest harvest on record at this address, the 2014 Monte Bello is still quite youthfully expressive, wafting from the glass with an exuberant bouquet of minty dark berries, plums, black cherries, cigar box and a nicely integrated framing of new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and intense, with a rich chassis of structuring tannins, which are currently largely concealed in a succulent core of fruit, and bright balancing acids. In profile, it's structurally more open-knit and giving than the massive 2013, and I suspect it will reach its plateau sooner, but it should enjoy over three decades of longevity. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, and it attained 13.5% natural alcohol. "The drought had a positive effect on concentration," observed winemaker Eric Baugher when we corresponded shortly after harvest, adding that "the wines are opaque in color, with rich tannins and marvellous fruit." Four years later, that remains an accurate characterization of the 2014 Monte Bello.

VINOUS 96
Drinking window: 2026 - 2054
The 2014 Monte Bello is going to need at least a decade to show everything it has. Deceptively medium in body and super-classic in its mid-weight structure, the 2014 offers notable brightness and intensity in an understated style, even by Ridge standards. Today, the 2014 is intensely linear, focused and vibrant. Petit Verdot is the variety that suffered most in the drought, so its presence in the blend is minimal.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: May 2017

DECANTER 95
Tasted by: Stephen Brook (at London, 25 Oct 2022)
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2042
Intense on the nose, this has blackcurrant and mint aromas, supported by stylish oak and showing lovely purity of fruit. Although plump and opulent, it also displays considerable heft and drive. Still assertive and almost raw, it has ample energy and persistence as well as great depth of flavour.