Expect dark cherry, plum, blackcurrant, cedar, dried herb, forest floor, and refined oak with medium-to-full body, structured tannins, and bright acidity. Ridge's traditional minimal-intervention style applies. The 2013 California vintage was excellent.
- Varietal
- Merlot (likely with small percentages of other Bordeaux varieties typical of the Monte Bello site)
- Region
- USA / California / Santa Cruz Mountains
- Body
- Medium to Full
- Style
- dry red, structured, age-worthy, traditional
The producer
Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello estate sits high in the Santa Cruz Mountains on limestone-rich soils. Ridge has occasionally bottled single-varietal Merlot from the Monte Bello vineyard's blocks, distinct from the flagship Cabernet-based Monte Bello.
What critics say
Ridge's Monte Bello-sourced wines, including Merlot bottlings, receive consistently strong reviews and are widely respected for their structure and aging potential.
Pairing
Herb-crusted rack of lamb, grilled lamb chops, mushroom risotto