{"product_id":"ridge-vineyards-monte-bello-2013","title":"Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2013","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"col-12 col-lg-6 detail-col\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Kelly, Robert Parker, May 2018, \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e100P\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2013 Monte Bello is a very special vintage for this great wine. Amazingly, it has yet to shut down, unfurling in the glass to reveal a bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, rich espresso roast, cigar wrapper, subtle black truffle and burning embers that has already integrated its 100% new oak remarkably completely. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, powerful and multidimensional, with a lavishly textural attack that segues into a stunningly layered, richly structured mid-palate endowed with incredible depth and concentration underpinned by succulent acids. The finish is long, vibrant and beautifully delineated. The 2013 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot, and it attained 13.6% natural alcohol. Analytically, this ranks as one of the most tannic vintages of Monte Bello ever produced, but the tannins are of such high quality and cloaked in such a wealth of fruit that Ridge forwent their habitual egg white fining this year—beginning a trend that has continued since. This profound Monte Bello will begin to blossom as it reaches age ten and should prove practically immortal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Ridge Vineyards:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRidge Vineyards stands as a testament to excellence in American winemaking, with a rich history dating back to 1885 when Dr. Osea Perrone purchased land on Monte Bello in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Though the first vintage was produced in 1892, it wasn't until 1962 that four Stanford Research Institute engineers refounded the winery, setting the stage for its modern success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe arrival of Paul Draper in 1969 marked a turning point for Ridge. With a background in philosophy and practical winemaking experience from Chile, Draper revolutionized the vineyard's management and modernized its production facilities. His influence was instrumental in elevating the status of California Zinfandel and creating iconic wines such as Geyserville, Lytton Springs, and the flagship Monte Bello.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRidge's reputation soared when its 1971 Monte Bello placed in the top 5 at the famous 1976 Paris tasting, a feat surpassed 30 years later when it ranked first in the Judgment of Paris rematch. This success is rooted in Ridge's expansive vineyards, including the 180-acre Monte Bello Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the 115-acre Lytton Springs Winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, and the 60-acre Geyserville in Alexander Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery's philosophy centers on single-vineyard wines and minimal intervention, utilizing native yeasts, natural malolactic fermentation, and limited new oak. This approach, combined with a commitment to organic farming methods, has produced an impressive portfolio. Beyond the renowned Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon, Ridge offers iconic Zinfandel blends and various single-vineyard Zinfandels, as well as Chardonnay from the Monte Bello estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years, Ridge has continued to evolve. Following Paul Draper's retirement in 2016, Eric Baugher took the helm as winemaker, maintaining the high standards while expanding the range of wines. Today, Ridge's offerings consistently receive high ratings from critics and are distributed across all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRidge Vineyards' commitment to sustainability is evident in its certified organic farming practices and use of solar power at both winery locations. As it moves forward, Ridge remains a cornerstone of the American wine industry, renowned for its dedication to traditional winemaking techniques, terroir-driven wines, and unwavering commitment to quality across its entire range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ridge Vineyards","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50146828812554,"sku":"CEW412\/CEW545","price":3375.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0706\/9273\/3194\/files\/ridgemontebello.png?v=1729332939","url":"https:\/\/carlwandel.shop\/products\/ridge-vineyards-monte-bello-2013","provider":"Carl Wandel \u0026 Søn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}