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Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013
One of California's original Classic Cabernets! 98 Points Antonio Galloni: "The 2012 Monte Bello is one of the most harmonious young Monte Bellos I can remember tasting. Seamless and voluptuous through to the finish, the 2012 is showing beautifully today. Raspberry jam, pomegranate, white flowers, mint and spices are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. A wine with a distinctly red-hued profile, silky tannins, no hard edges and exceptional overall balance, the 2012 Monte Bello is simply magnificent. The 2012 is racy but also impeccably balanced throughout, with shades of the 2001 that come through from time to time. I won't be surprised if the 2013 and 2014 both eventually surpass it, but there is no denying that the 2012 is simply stunning today. This is one of the best showings yet for the 2012." Judgment of Paris Winner: On May 24, 2006, a 30 year re-enactment of the Judgment of Paris was organized, this time with simultaneous tastings in London and in Napa at Copia. Paralleling the 1976 event, nine expert tasters at each location judged the original red wines, now over thirty years old. The winning wine in both the US and UK was the Ridge Monte Bello 1971. The Monte Bello vineyard was first planted back in 1886, but was essentially abandoned after Prohibition. It was replanted in 1949, and has been the source of one of Ridge's best known wines since it was first made in 1962.
Ratings on Delectable
Renato Hoyle 
Tight. Vanilla
Tight. Vanilla
9.2
Mike Saviage
Tasted at Ridge. Dark scarlet. Opaque and brooding. Notes of black fruit, unsweetened chocolate, dark earth and some spice. Powerful impact in the mouth. Great mouthfeel. Chewy. Still young and primary. Needs a decade or two of slumber and will surely improve.
Tasted at Ridge. Dark scarlet. Opaque and brooding. Notes of black fruit, unsweetened chocolate, dark earth and some spice. Powerful impact in the mouth. Great mouthfeel. Chewy. Still young and primary. Needs a decade or two of slumber and will surely improve.
9.5
Lyle Fass
Founder Fass Selections
Stunning. Balanced and deep. Way too young but super impressed.
Stunning. Balanced and deep. Way too young but super impressed.
9.6
Mitzi Inglis
Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards
This is a beautiful wine that should age well for decades. #ridgevineyards
This is a beautiful wine that should age well for decades. #ridgevineyards
9.3
George Chen
Too young to drink but very much like its brethren!
Too young to drink but very much like its brethren!
9.2
Joe Paradise
Flavorful, dark, succulent. Its has depth but also restraint. At 13.6% you can feel its power but has perfect balance of ultra refined tannins and soft acidity. Blueberry, cocoa, crushed asphalt and a long finish. Tasted 2013 at their lytton springs estate. If its this good now... Oh the places it will go!
Flavorful, dark, succulent. Its has depth but also restraint. At 13.6% you can feel its power but has perfect balance of ultra refined tannins and soft acidity. Blueberry, cocoa, crushed asphalt and a long finish. Tasted 2013 at their lytton springs estate. If its this good now... Oh the places it will go!
9.6
Brad Hemmer
Insane!
Insane!
9.8
WineMascot
2013, PV had some serious influence on the nose currently, give this 20 years!
2013, PV had some serious influence on the nose currently, give this 20 years!
9.2
Matt
Baby but so good. Great life ahead of it. Juicy currants and black plums, hints of spiced red fruits, fresh vanilla, spice cake, tobacco leaf, slightly chunky tannins that are persistent and will go the long haul. Love how vibrant it was even though it was wound up.
Baby but so good. Great life ahead of it. Juicy currants and black plums, hints of spiced red fruits, fresh vanilla, spice cake, tobacco leaf, slightly chunky tannins that are persistent and will go the long haul. Love how vibrant it was even though it was wound up.
9.0Matt Krueger
Quite a wine. Highest tannin levels in the history of monte bello but still held in check by the concentration. Needs time but going to be killer
Quite a wine. Highest tannin levels in the history of monte bello but still held in check by the concentration. Needs time but going to be killer
9.6
See all reviews and ratings on Delectable WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.