RIDGE MONTE BELLO - THE WINE TASTING

Today we are tasting a new world classic - a wine as great as the vineyard it is from: the 2016 Ridge Monte Bello. Make sure that you stick around until the end for the tasting of this wine.
The history of Ridge started in 1885 when Osea Perrone from San Francisco bought the land near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. Which is very interesting as the site is in the middle of nowhere in the area that is today known as the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA.
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[@brianmcdonald9298]

Very pleased to see him try America’s best wine. Ridge Monte Bello is as good as wine gets.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

I agree!

[@pilsplease7561]

Americas Best wine is Stags Leap Cask 23, Stags Leap Fay Vineyard is also fantastic and the american wine. Ridge falls behind them. Cask 23 is also more expensive than Ridge Monte Bello typically. I had a 2012 Cask 23 that was out of this world.

[@toddrossauthor]

Visited Ridge in September 1995 and tasted with Paul Draper and the late Donn Reisen. It was a great experience. I come from the retail world and we were huge customers of Ridge back in the day :) I like to think that the winery has maintained its standards all along the years. With these two wine-world giants, Draper and Reisen, we tasted old vintages of ridge going back to the 70s (mainly Geyersville as they were preparing for a comparative tasting). It was a real treat and still a highlight of the many winery visits and tastings I've had over the years, more so for the generosity of the personages over the wines. Thanks for sharing the tasting of the Monte Bello. Made me smile.

[@angrycupcke47]

Love your dedication to defending the best wines from California. Sometimes we have the perception that people from the old world look down upon California winemaking writ large, but you cannot deny the quality of Ridge. We have this same vintage of Monte Bello at my Restaurant and I think it a shame to open it so young, but you make an excellent point about pairing it with a rich protein.

[@brianboyle2524]

Love your reviews and what you’re doing with the channel

[@RedRoverTW]

Love Ridge wines. Great video

[@ryanmgkim]

being born and raised in california, I am so proud of our short yet impressive history in winemaking. we have some of the most undeniably great vineyards and winemakers in the world, and can compete against any of the best old world wines from europe. we lead the world in innovation and education, so naturally, it trickles down into our viticulture practice and the improvements california winemakers and grape growers continue to make

[@philippespiess6480]

Great episode and commentary! A true master of wine who does an exceptional job explaining the intricacies of quality wines and the regions/styles they represent. 👏👏👏

[@DanielAllenLuka]

I wish I had more friends to tell them about you too. Every video is amazing and I trust what you say.

[@MDL-lw9my]

Just had my third visit to the Montebello tasting room. What a treat. We tasted through the 2013, 2018 and 2019 Montebellos. The ‘13 is INCREDIBLE…. Cheers 🥂

[@paulmolleman4545]

Great video Mr. K !!

[@MrJeremyMDavis]

Loving this part of your videos where you taste high end vino! Continue! 😀🙏🍷

[@hungryformusik]

Back in 1995 I stumbled over a 1992 Zinfandel from Ridge called Lytton Springs and I was blown away. I was drinking this wine for many years.

[@eatitdrinkitluvit955]

Love their wines! One of the first wines I ever purchased from Draper who poured the wine for me way up on that remote location. His Montebello Chardonnay is like California's Corton Charlemagne, amazing stuff! Montebello Cab is truly special.

[@comesahorseman]

That's quite the decanter! 😄👍

[@robertthrossell4321]

Love Ridge wines, gr8 vid 🍷😁

[@dennistsiorbas5962]

This was brilliant! I have a blogpost entitled: Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery. My 2011 Monte Bello cost me $125.00 US and I scored it 95 points. Another winery that destroys the notion that Cali wines can't age well is Clos Du Val. In conclusion, you've given me a goal: Find a Ridge 2016 Monte Bello. Cheers!

[@Porscheke7]

I believe quality Napa wines age very well indeed...

[@richross4276]

Truly one of the best Cabs out of CA...so elegant

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

I agree!

[@eatitdrinkitluvit955]

Excellent video Konstantin! I agree with you on the scoring. This is one of the consistently great reds from the USA and relative to quality an amazing value. Classic cellar selection. How about a review of the icons of Soave, the best cuvees including Anselmi's Capital Croce or oddball exotics like Ronchi di Cialla Verduzzo! Or best of declassified Bourgogne to that are major values. I had some Meursault from Gauffroy long ago that was sold as simple Bourgogne, it was a stunning value.

[@Houman7]

I live in Cupertino where this wine comes from. I normally visit the winery once in a while because of the view and amazing wine they have. I’m pretty confident their Monte Bello is one of the best wines in California if not the best, and this comes from someone who’s been in dozens of wineries in Napa including Opus One. Their Estate is also great despite being 180$ cheaper but definitely not as legendary.

[@serbanchinole]

You made me look into this wine

[@ghanus2009]

@@serbanchinole I would second his motion. Giving it a good 1 hr caraffing, makes the Estate cab a treat that you cannot find in any other wine at that same price. I dont know what those guys do up on that hill to achieve that, but its magic.

[@christianstahlberger9138]

Danke für diese interessante Beschreibung des Monte Bello. Ich finde ihn, ganz im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen kalifornischen Bordeaux-Blends, in seiner Komplexität mit hochwertigen Weingütern aus Bordeaux vergleichbar, je nach Jahrgang. Letztens hatte ich das Vergnügen, den 2009er zu probieren: noch zu jung, aber Größe ist deutlich zu erkennen. PS: Der Geyserville von Ridge ist wirklich klasse; nicht wirklich vergleichbar mit dem Monte Bello, aber wirklich gut für seinen Preis

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Der Geyserville ist hervorragend.

[@danielhicks1682]

I had the 75 for my birthday. It wasn’t stored well but was still standing. Paul Draper initially trained at Chateau Latour of Pauillac so I served the 1975 Les Forts, it was remarkable the parallels between the 2

[@hro52518]

I was always was curious about this producer. I'm excited to explore their more budget friendly offerings. Great video

[@ghanus2009]

Heres a fun Ridge tip The Ridge Estate cabernet is created with the same grapes used for the Montebello. The Montebello flagship wines get the first pick from the lots and is fashioned to be put down for 10-30+ years. The Estate Cab gets the rest and is very excellent, ye not fashioned to be aged as long. You can drink it even as young ass 4, but I typically recommend 5+ years. Even then I carafe it for 30-45 minutes, it opens like a flower and becomes what I call "Sex in a bottle". It is delicious. Given that the Montebello wwunts between $200 - $300 US, the Estate Cab runs about $70 US. So its what I call a mini Montebello. On the Zin side, THe Pagani Ranch, and Geyserville are lovely ones to dive into. They typically run in the mid $30 US. So tasty treats wait.

[@scottselover7613]

I have a couple bottles stashed away. Thanks for the insight

[@JackAgainski]

I had 3 1985 Ridge Monte Bello cabs and sold them at auction back in 2010 along with 111 other bottles from my cellar. Used the money on 2009 & 2010 Bordeaux.

[@planbprodigy]

Had a ridge lyon springs 2017 last night and was hoping you had a zinfandel vid, this is even better. Had it with a ribeye

[@Androctonus84]

Just found your channel tonight and I'm loving it. Ridge is a long-time favorite of mine, the wine that actually got me interested in wine in the first place decades ago. Been a member with them for many years and I always get excited every spring when I start getting their emails about shipping out that year's allotment. For another classic California wine to taste, one of my suggestions would be another wine from the '76 Paris tasting, and another of my faves, Chateau Montelena.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Chateau Montelena is great too!

[@ghanus2009]

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine :) Thats putting it mildly, right?

[@peteradams5383]

Great tasting, thank you - it's good to know what the stuff I cant afford tastes like!!😄 Next I'd like to see a Grange, or RWT from Penfolds. Or...one of MY favourites, an old Mas La Plana - let's take some of these folks out of their comfort zone!

[@Master_of_sum]

Love your stuff! Thanks for all the great knowledge. For wines to taste next, I would love if you could dive into some of the more esoteric grapes - trousseau noir for example I think would make for a really interesting video.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Great suggestion!

[@dustinasche]

2016 is my favorite recent vintage for west coast U.S. wines.

[@jamesstokes8920]

Thank you for the Ridge tasting. They make glorious Cabernet. Next, Baja, Mexico. Stay thirsty my friend.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Oh, I will!

[@carloszamora5985]

Great tasting videos! I recommend some great spanish wines for these tasting series: Espectacle 2018 Montsant, Las Umbrias 2018, Nit de Nin La Coma d'en Romeu 2017

[@stephencoates5105]

Ridge is a 20 minutes drive from our house. I haven't been there in a couple of years. I know what I' doing this weekend!!! Next wine to try suggestion - Big Basin Vineyards 2014 Frenchie's Ranch Syrah, Boulder Creek CA (Santa Cruz Mountains)

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Sounds great! Have fun!

[@fuzznakano]

great sho bro. i'll try this wine mjr tokyo

[@davidcouriel7834]

Great and very enjoyable review Konstantin, thank you. Here are some ideas for upcoming tastings: (1) from Mexico: Gran Ricardo from Monte Xanic and Único from Santo Tomas and from Chile: Almaviva and Le Dix from Rothschild

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thanks for the tips!

[@Porscheke7]

Which wine should you taste next? Toro? Mencía? Priorat? Alsace? I visited Ridge in 1981, with my wife and a very good wine-buddy from Sherwood Oaks. Whist the clouds were chasing very close overhead at breakneck speed, we had a full outdoor table-topful of wines, Zinfandels, Petite Sirahs and Cabernets, a lovely tasting, excellent wines, a true privilege...

[@neilcremin9613]

Cool vid my man

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thanks Neil

[@faustofontana133]

Nice tasting. You should try purple angel from Vina Montes. Lovely wine 🔥🔥🔥

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

I did!

[@marcuswidmann9620]

Schönes Konzept, und ich schaue gerne deine Videos. Mach bitte mal ein Wine-Tasting mit ungarischen Weinen. Kopar, Solus, Ikon... Die haben bemerkenswerte Weine! Würde mich sehr freuen. Weiterhin viel Spaß und danke für den Content.

[@suginami123]

I greatly admire all RYour she wines. I decant most as I feel they are so concentrated. Real thinking wines to sip from a large glass. I have a small stock of their cheaper wines.

[@personofinterest2024]

Just found your channel tonight, great content! Have you tasted Ian Brand's Monte Bello Road? It's cab grown in a vineyard a bit higher than Ridge's vineyard and for about $70 retail I think it's quite lovely. Cheers!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Not yet - Sounds good though!

[@mathieud5594]

Did not know this one, definitely must discover it! You cost me money Konstantin Baum... :D

[@clydeblair9622]

I love your enthusiasm and barbarity! Eat and drink like there's no tomorrow. I've always used a 4 qt measuring cup, splosh it in and return it to the bottle. Isn't new oak a little risky?

[@daniel_alexander_]

Great info to share with guests! How about Chardonnay of Jura?

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

I would really like to do a video on Jura.

[@sgtenologo]

I fucking love Ridge

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Same here!

[@pieterbeatse]

could you do a video about chablis? Ravenaeu or Dauvissat?

[@NDGNL]

Great video! Wondering what exact glass this is from riedel? Thanks!

[@grimper35]

Ridge is also well-known for Zinfandel. Have you ever done any tasting on Zins? I'd love to see it.

[@pilsplease7561]

They make decent zinfandel, but if you really want the good stuff then its going to be from Lodi or Paso Robles, I actually get fruit from the best zin vineyards on the central coast and can tell you that ridge doesnt hold a candle to them, one of the vineyards is one of the oldest zin vineyards in the state and has been planted with the same clone of zinfandel for over 100 Years super concentrated and spicy and puts ridge to shame.

[@bjornz8454]

I was totally hooked by Chenin blanc from Loire valley in my vacation a couple of weeks ago. Very crisp, fresh and they had a wounderful saltiness. So, after your nice entrecote, how sounds some fresh seafood food, with a bottle of chenin blanc to you for your next video?

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Sounds delicious!

[@RenatoLaino]

Now I'm hungry and thirsty

[@bjornz8454]

Wow, nice one! 🤜🤛 For how long you let the wine in your decanter until you tasted it? Are there rough rules how long a wine should be in the decanter before serving?

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Just a few minutes we're enough to make it more accessible

[@scottjeffery6089]

Would enjoy seeing a side by side of this and Ridge's standard (and significantly less pricey) Estate Cabernet. I think both wines are fantastic from my experience, but I will not be regularly purchasing Montebello with my income

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Good idea! I love the Estate too and had it just recently.

[@karlesser9541]

Weiter so!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Danke!

[@sharadsharma4833]

Lucky you

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thanks!

[@tonygallo1104]

thanks for all the great info here Konstantin. Btw, what did you call that piece of meat...i couldn't understand! Thanks again!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thanks. It is an Entrecote

[@tonygallo1104]

Thanks KB!

[@fuzznakano]

rich complex white wines, please mjr tokyo

[@robbieg1966]

I have two Monte Bello 2012s and two 2016s, how long should I wait before cracking them open?!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

You could wait for decades. I have had Monte Bello from 65, it was past its prime but still held it together

[@albertk2455]

Would be cool with an old school rioja, say Lopez de Herida, Vega Cecilia etc.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

An old school Rioja would be a good idea!

[@spiritalex9397]

Yes, Vega Sicilia Unico would be great aswell.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

@@spiritalex9397 I will add VS Unico to the list too

[@spiritalex9397]

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine There is a bottle in my cellar (just to young to open now) and therefore I am really looking forward to see what you are going to tell us about this wine!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

@@spiritalex9397 what is the vintage?

[@sharadsharma4833]

Will you ever taste Buccella Cab?

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

I have tasted it but am not sure whether I am going to make a video about it.

[@fergstweet]

Aperture wines? Try them...

[@remifjelldal7299]

This have always perplexed me, a too young wine getting 96+ ratings. Please help me understand. Is this 98 rating based on current drinking or future max potential. Meaning if you drink this same wine in the future when it's at perfect age, is it then a 98 or would it then be most likely a 99-100? Thanks!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Yes, it is not easy but it is also about estimating how well it is going to keep. It could be 98 but maybe also 96 or 100 points.

[@remifjelldal7299]

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine So, it is based on how it currently drinks? meaning it was 98 right now? and "Too" young is not necessarily meaning it will be better later, hence not a direct "critisim" of the wine? Btw, I love to learn more about wine, and your content is great, so thank you! Keep the content coming!

[@spiritalex9397]

Never heard of this wine before (read about the seconds judgement of Paris recently but did not remember the winners) but I am also far from being an expert when it comes to American wines. However, thanks for introducing this wine to us! Which wine should you taste next? What about a Tokaji Essencia? This is definitely a great kind of wine where people (also wine freaks) talk about all too rarely.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Yes, Ridge is super famous in the US, but not everywhere else. Tokaji would be a good topic .. I was scheduled to be there this summer. Did not quite work out.

[@spiritalex9397]

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine Yes 2020 totally s****. Hope everything will be better next year and we all will be on tastings, wine travels and wine festivals again. Maybe you could shoot a little report about your travel to this region if you are going to be there next year. I am sure many people would like to see it.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

@@spiritalex9397 Amen! Yes, maybe it works out next year. I have some travel vlogs planned for the future.

[@spiritalex9397]

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine Saw your old ones in German and I liked them!

[@The.Epicurean]

"pardon me" 😂

[@mattcoelho]

They also make a 100% cab from the Monte Bello vineyard called Klein. I only know because I tasted at Ridge last weekend and picked up a bottle. :)

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Lucky you!