Winemaker Notes
Deep ruby red with toasty oak and blackberry fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, structured with firm tannins, bright acid and notes of mint on the finish.
Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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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 and 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.
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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.
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James Suckling
An elegant year for this medium-bodied wine that's a junior to Ridge Monte Bello cabernet. So poised, flavorful, savory and well-balanced, with fine-grained tannins supporting black-olive, black-cherry, bay-leaf, cocoa and iron flavors. Moderate alcohol at 13.4%. Drink now or hold.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2023 Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is medium-deep ruby with a magenta edge; aromas evoke a morning forest, layered with pomegranate and subtle, complementary oak nuances; medium-bodied and silky smooth on the palate; dry, with balanced acidity and very good harmony; lovely red and dark berry flavors with a touch of oak; finishes firm, layered, and quietly persistent. From the cool, forested slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this Cabernet reflects both restraint and refinement, pairing beautifully with grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic, where the wine’s forest-floor character and fine structure echo the dish’s savory depth. (Best Served: 2028-2038)
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.