“Made from the most approachable lots of this famous site.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Who’s up for a dose of Double Agent with some BABY BELLO with a massive array of scores, at a ridiculous price?!

BEWARE OPS: a lot of outfits confuse this particular 100% Monte Bello Estate juice Cab with the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation one that costs a lot less because its source is NOT one of the most heralded Cab vineyards on the planet that was a Judgement of Paris darling in 1976.

The iconic winery has the fascinating backstory; the short of it is that: “In 1886, the first blocks of the Monte Bello Vineyard were planted, and construction on the winery began. The first vintage was the 1892… In the early 1940s, the last of the old vineyard was abandoned; in the late forties, a few blocks were replanted… A number of those blocks consistently produced a more accessible wine that developed its full complexity earlier… the name of this stylistically distinct wine became the Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, stressing the principal varietal and the Monte Bello Estate vineyard as its source.”

Yep, select blocks destined to be the flagship one day but at 1/6th its price. Even harder to spot out in the wild than its big brother, especially so affordably.

San Francisco Chronicle states the obvious, “The maker of California’s most celebrated Cabernet, Ridge Monte Bello, has barely changed in 60 years. That’s a good thing… Ridge Vineyards is much the same as it was in the 1960s. Its labels still use the same distinctive, green-and-black Optima font. It’s still growing Cabernet Sauvignon at its flagship vineyard, Monte Bello, in the Santa Cruz Mountains. And it’s still producing bold, full-bodied, red wines, which continue to have an arresting way of holding balance despite their often-considerable heft.”

This vintage emphasizes the classic nature of Monte Bello. Think of a prima ballerina pirouetting across your palate with moves resembling a butterfly, while leaving the roaring echoes of a Baryshnikov finale deserving a standing ovation. It’s lithe, elegant, filigreed, noble, deeply complex, and quietly profound, all at the same time. A truly perplexing performance, especially for the value it beholds.

Final word from Vinous, “Since its first commercial release in 1962, Ridge’s Monte Bello has established itself as one of the most pedigreed wines in the United States, with a track record that stands comfortably next to the very best from around the world.”

And can that glory really be yours for just $59 today? Unreal.

95 Points – Decanter “Classic mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a cool vintage in a very cool site, and at Monte Bello this harvest finished in the middle of November. It has all the timeless notes of California mountain herbals, bay leaf, eucalyptus, manzanita, and purple sage. It’s intensely focused, and the tannins are prominent. But elegance is the watchword here. Woodland berries, and sumac with white pepper and a glimpse of lemon zest. Brilliant. Drink 2026-2037.”

95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “From Monte Bello, with 19% Merlot and small additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, harvested in late October and November due to the coolness of the vintage, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate saw extended fermentations and is light-bodied and elegant, made from the most approachable lots of this famous site. Red fruit-dominant, it offers firm, expansive tannins, oak spice, and sharp acidity, dazzling in cranberry, clove, and cedar. This will benefit from further aging and sing for another 15-plus years. Enjoy best 2030-2038.”

94 Points – Wine Advocate “The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate opens with a dark-fruited, slightly dusty and herbal bouquet framed by American oak notes that are already remarkably integrated. The mouthfeel is suave and tense, balancing tensile energy with ample textural breadth. The finish succinctly captures the vintage’s characteristics, giving equal weight to vibrant energy, tenacious yet refined tannins, and Ridge’s classically structured style. This is an exceptional bottling, and while it is somewhat approachable now, a bit more time in the bottle to further integrate its élevage would be beneficial. Drink 2027-2035.”

94 Points – Owen Bargreen “All sourced from the famed ‘Monte Bello Vineyard’ this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon has 19% Merlot blended in with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Red bell pepper and fresh sage mark the nose alongside dark chocolate shavings, Arabica bean and creme de cassis. The palate is lush and tension-filled with terrific tension and verve with a smooth texture. The combination of weight, length and finesse is seriously good. Drink 2026-2040.”

94 Points – Wine Spectator “Offers inviting aromas and flavors of gently warm plum puree and cassis before a solid spine of mesquite, iron and savory starts to emerge. As that clamps down on the finish (for now), sanguine and cedar accents fill in liberally. Shows the textbook chiseled, angular feel of a young mountain Cab; this just needs cellar time. Best from 2028 through 2040.”