late-season ripening
and can be open for years without any loss of quality
resulting in a profile that feels poised and lifted rather than overworked or dense
We suggest serving the wine at just above cellar temp and not decanting it
typically utilizing a percentage of whole-cluster fermentation followed by aging in 50% new oak to provide measured support without masking the site’s inherent character
2021 Ridge, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains Producer_Clos Saint Joseph late-season ripeningExcellent, ravishing, plush and opulent, but still finds its fruit kept in balance with earthy mineral notes and refreshing acidity. Ridge makes what we consider to be one of the historic, great Cabernet bottles in American history (Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet), which trades for $200+ and rightfully so! However, this wine, made from younger vines in the exact same Monte Bello Vineyard site, delivers an incredible value we are here for every year.