2016 MONTE BELLO, Ridge. Santa Cruz Mountains, California (Half Bottle)

Montebello is a single homogenous estate high up in the Santa Cruz mountains, south of San Francisco – and one of the most spectacular vineyards in the world. Poor limestone soils and a cool climate make for low yields and intense (but not over-blown) wine. The vineyard is currently being certified as fully organic.

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot; in new American oak for 18 months. This is the wine that proves the quality of the oak is more important than its provenance. American oak may sometimes be excessively ‘oaky’; not here

Paul Draper’s Ridge is perhaps the most respected winery in California. Even more so now that the three separate estates (Montebello, Geyserville and Lytton Springs) have their own wineries and so operate like a French ‘Domaine’ rather than a bigger operation.

Despite the surprising use of American oak, this is the most Bordeaux-like of all New World Cabernets. Very serious wine that needs many years to show at its best.

WE HAVE JUST 6 HALF BOTTLES.

“One of the highlights in this tasting, the 2016 Monte Bello has turned out just as beautifully as I hoped it would. Soaring aromatics, bright acids and mid-weight structure give the 2016 a super-classic feel. Clearly, the 2016 is very primary today, with plenty of bright red and purplish berry fruit. More than that, though, the 2016 pulses with energy and simply exceptional balance. Don’t miss it!” Antonio Galloni writing in 2019.