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2003 Ridge Monte Bello

Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit; Purchased direct from winery

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RATINGS

94+ Robert M. Parker Jr.

One of the smallest crops to be included...only 32% of the production made it into the 2003...sweet black currant, blueberry, graphite, licorice and toasty vanillin aromas...tannins are still noticeable...but...well-integrated.

94James Suckling

...wonderful balance of full, silky tannins and creamy ripeness... Long, fleshy finish that remains cool and lively right to the end.

92+ Stephen Tanzer

Knockout nose offers blackberry, currant, plum, cedar, minerals and dark chocolate. Fresh, succulent and quite firm in the mouth, with brisk acids and a minty nuance lifting the dark berry and chocolate flavors.

17.5Jancis Robinson

...Complex, spicy nose. Sweet, rich and velvety – not that unlike 2003 bordeaux -...Great lift. Quite polished...

PRODUCER

Ridge

Ridge Vineyards is a multi-estate enterprise with vineyards and wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Sonoma County and Paso Robles. It is a leader in organic, sustainable winemaking and is the largest grower of certified organic grapes in the appellations of Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The business was founded in 1959 when three Stanford Research Institute engineers bought an abandoned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyards had been planted in the late 19th century by a San Francisco physician who produced his first vintage in the original winery, called Monte Bello, in 1892. The first Ridge vintage was in 1962. For more than 50 years Ridge’s winemaker and CEO was Paul Draper, a legendary figure in California winemaking. Draper retired in 2016 and Ridge veteran Mark Vernon became CEO. Each winery has its own winemaker. Ridge makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Rhone style wines. Robert M. Parker Jr. writes that Ridge “is undeniably one of California’s top wineries.”

REGION

United States, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA includes high elevation territory in the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo. The AVA follows the coast line from San Francisco to Monterey with elevations from 400 feet to 3,000 feet above sea level. There are 1,500 vineyard acres and the AVA was established in 1981. Despite the challenging terrain in these rugged mountains and hills, highly esteemed wineries have been located here since the early 20th century, when Paul Masson, a Frenchman by birth, started making sparkling wine in the area. By the 1970s vineyards were growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Numerous microclimates within the AVA offer viticulturists diverse growing conditions, and many varietals are grown successfully.

VINTAGE

2003 Ridge Monte Bello

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot

WINEMAKER