Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards 2011

Ridge's 2011 Monte Bello shows beautifully, even next to some of the more important vintages that are part of this vertical. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, spices and graphite form an attractive core of flavors and textures. The 2011 is a bit slender and likely to mature earlier than some of the more structured vintages, but that only contributes to its near and medium-term accessibility. Hints of sage, lavender and black fruits add the final shades of nuance. This is one of the better showings of the 2011 from bottle.

88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. A long winter delayed the growing season. Summer temperatures remained cool as persistent fog covered much of northern California. Monte Bello, whose elevation kept the grapes in full sun, was an exception. Following an October rain, two weeks of warm weather ripened the fruit for harvest before the next storm. Harvest 19 October to 8 November. Grapes destemmed, 100% whole berries. Automated berry sorting followed by hand-sorting. Fermented with indigenous yeasts. Extraction of colour and tannin required extended pumpovers. Pressed at eight days. Natural malolactic (15% in tank, 85% in barrel). 16 months in barrel (99% new air-dried American oak, 1% French oak).Very deep blackish crimson. Already, great beauty on the nose! A clever tactic to show us how the 2019 is likely to develop? Ripe fruit evident on palate entry and dried herbs on the palate. Nothing out of place. Only medium body at most with slightly dry tannins on the end. Super-fresh but lifted and racy. Sinewy. Definitely not one to share with a Napa Cab devotee but possibly to a senior claret enthusiast? Style alert!

Dried mulberry, brick dust and rosemary aromas intertwine with Monte Bello’s signature sweet n’ sour scent. Seamless, pure and plump on the palate, with flavours of dried blueberry, fig and dried cherry. The finish is firm and rustic, ending with notes of ash, cocoa powder and cherry skins. Still in its youth, but beginning to reveal itself. Drink 2021-2041.

Lovely maturing nose of blackcurrant, black raspberry, mint and vanilla. At once rich, velvety and enticing, this is a delight now, due to the fine and moderately dry tannins that are wrapped in spice and savory notes at the long finish. A cuvee of 88% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. Tasted at the Thomas Kammeier Monte Bello vertical. Drink or hold.