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Ridge Vineyards Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012
Ridge's 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvigon is what we call "baby Monte Bello" and an amazing buy in Cabernet. The Monte Bello vineyard was first planted when the winery was built, in 1886. In the early 1940s, the last of the old vineyard was abandoned; in the late forties a few blocks were replanted. Those cabernet vines - now sixty years old - produced the first Ridge Monte Bello in 1962, and subsequent vintages until the mid-seventies. By then, blocks replanted during the sixties were maturing, and their fruit considered for use in the Monte Bello. A number of those consistently produced a softer, more accessible wine and were combined as the stylistically distinct Santa Cruz Mountains Estate.
Ratings on Delectable
Shay A 
Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds. One of my favorites of the night, and still improving. Everything about this was classic and balanced. Not overtly American oak driven but there is definitely a cooled coconut note with espresso on the nose. Dusty. Sweet tannins with juicy blackberries and underripe blueberries highlight the finish. Enjoyable now if you give it 1-2hrs in the decanter, but better in 5yrs. Thanks @Mark Flesher
Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds. One of my favorites of the night, and still improving. Everything about this was classic and balanced. Not overtly American oak driven but there is definitely a cooled coconut note with espresso on the nose. Dusty. Sweet tannins with juicy blackberries and underripe blueberries highlight the finish. Enjoyable now if you give it 1-2hrs in the decanter, but better in 5yrs. Thanks @Mark Flesher
9.3Robert Stackowiak
76 percent Cab, 24% Merlot. Lots of cherry. Smooth Tannins due to blend and age. Great with steak. June 2020.
76 percent Cab, 24% Merlot. Lots of cherry. Smooth Tannins due to blend and age. Great with steak. June 2020.
9.1
kevin thalmann
2012 vintage. Drinking nice now, rich, delicious dark fruit, soft tannins. Great wine from the Monte Bello vineyard, and an incredible value considering where the other fruit goes.
2012 vintage. Drinking nice now, rich, delicious dark fruit, soft tannins. Great wine from the Monte Bello vineyard, and an incredible value considering where the other fruit goes.
9.3
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