2011 Monte Bello

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.

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! (JR)

The 2011 Ridge Monte Bello is in a great spot where it is just starting to show lovely signs of aromatic development. Even so, the 2011 remains rich, deep and imposing, with tons of depth and plenty of mountain intensity. Black cherry, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice and cloves all open with a bit of coaxing. The tannins are a bit grainy, otherwise this is a very good Monte Bello in a very challenging year. (AG)