Ridge, California Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2016

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!

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is slightly more elegant and polished than the more concentrated, blockbuster styled 2015. Beautiful cassis, blue fruits, vanilla bean, smoked tobacco, and chocolate notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a refined, flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's one of the of those wines that grows on you with time in the glass, and it's going to have 30-40 years of overall longevity. I don't think it's one of the all-time greats here, but it's an absolute sure bet of a stunning Monte Bello.

The 2016 Monte Bello is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in 100% new oak (98% American and 2% French). It has a medium to deep ruby color and is youthfully coiled, slowly developing scents of dark chocolate, pencil shavings, cedar, loamy soil, dried flowers, licorice, blackcurrant and black cherry with red berry sparks and exotic spices. The palate is full-bodied and youthfully firm, slowly unfolding with mineral-tinged fruits. It has a frame of firm, pixelated tannins and seamlessly woven acidity, finishing very long and full of latent layers.

A refined, creamy red with currant, fresh-mushroom, tree-bark and light dried-tobacco character. Medium body. Firm and lightly chewy. Linear and racy red. Very tight. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot, 10% petit verdot and 6% cabernet franc. Drink after 2023.