2013 Monte Bello

This is an absolutely stellar set of wines from Ridge. For starters, Ridge enjoyed what I can only describe as a sensational vintage in 2013, especially for the Bordeaux varieties. The Cabernet Estate and Monte Bello are both exceptional, while a number of wines in the Historic Vineyard series are compelling. Zinfandel fans will find much to like in the 2014s, a vintage that produced super-elegant wines. Of course, the biggest news at Ridge is Paul Draper's retirement, but then again, that has been in the works for so long that it was hardly a surprise when it was formally announced earlier this summer. As one of the foremost ambassadors of American wine, Draper leaves behind a rich legacy at Ridge going back to 1969 and a team that is more than capable of leading the winery into the next generation.

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 can comfortably stand next to the very best from around the world. For this tasting, Paul Draper, Ridge’s CEO and Head Winemaker, presented ten Monte Bellos; the five most recent vintages followed by one wine per decade going back to the 1960s, with each of the older wines chosen to represent a milestone in the estate’s distinguished history.

My most recent visit to Ridge was unforgettable, as I had a chance to taste a number of older vintages with Paul Draper, winemaker Eric Baugher and vineyard manager David Gates. Notes from that vertical, which went back to 1969, can be found here. The big news at Ridge is that the winery recently closed on a long-term arrangement with the New Peninsula Open Space District that gives Ridge agricultural rights in perpetuity to 40 acres of vineyard land encompassing old Monte Bello Blocks on the southern and eastern edges of the ranch that Ridge has previously not had access to.

As is my custom, I have included Ridge's Sonoma wines here for ease of reference. Readers should note that in 2012 Ridge did not produce their Historic Vineyard Series wines, as all the fruit was used for the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Monte Bello bottlings. Ridge fans can look forward to a number of special bottlings for the 2013 vintage, including a Monte Bello Historic Vines and Monte Bello Steep Terraces, both of which are shaping up to be magnificent. Unfortunately I was not able to taste the 2014 Lytton Springs on this visit, but I report back on that wine as soon as is practical.

Ridge remains one of the finest operations I visit anywhere in the world. The total commitment to quality, value and customer service simply has no equal in this country. Although the flagship Monte Bello, Lytton Springs and Geyserville bottlings get most of the attention, the Three Valleys Zinfandel is a reliably outstanding value, while the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the finest California Cabernet Sauvignon in its price range.

Ridge remains one of the most consistent and brilliant wineries in the United States. This is a fabulous set of new releases from the winemaking team headed by Paul Draper and Eric Baugher. Once again, I tasted a number of wines from Ridge's Historic Vineyard series, small production bottlings that are essentially lots that did not make into the Monte Bello blend. For ease of reference I have also included Ridge's Sonoma wines in this article.