Monte Bello 2022 Ridge Vineyards

Professional reviews

James Suckling (97)

A fruit-driven example of Monte Bello coming from the warm 2022 vintage. There are layers of blackcurrants, black cherries, cedar, licorice, olive brine and spices on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with a seamless mouthfeel, fine tannins and bright acidity. Much to love for early drinking, but will age well.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

Aged in 100% new oak, the 2022 Monte Bello blends 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, selected from 18 of 21 lots by blind tasting. After assemblage, the wine spent 21 more months in barrel. The vineyard starts at 1,600 feet and goes up to 2,700 feet at top, and is spread out across 4 different ranches, Klein, Rousten, Torre and Perrone, the wines getting more tightknit and ageable as the vines move up the mountain. By the end of harvest, Monte Bello is split into 55 different blocks, which are then picked and fermented separately. Year after year, this is a “wow” wine, herbal, lightly spiced in oak, with a lovely creamy, velvety texture and a backbone of well-resolved tannin supporting a medium-bodied, balanced spirit of mountain garrigue. These wines typically age 20-25 years or more.