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2009 Ridge Monte Bello

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RATINGS

98The Wine Advocate

...an especially huge, intense Monte Bello, yet a sexy, silky core of fruit lies within its imposing frame. Everything comes together in this glorious, radiant wine.

96Vinous / IWC

Fresh & precise, offering deeply concentrated red berry & bitter cherry flavors, a supple texture & slow-building sweetness. Becomes more exotically floral with air, finishing sappy & long, with excellent clarity and gentle tannic grip.

95Wine Spectator

Taut and structured, with cedar-laced currant, dark berry and dried berry notes joining a mix of mineral-laced fresh earth and tobacco flavors, offering a wide range of tight-knit fruit overall. Firmly tannic on the finish...

REGION

United States, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA includes high elevation territory in the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo. The AVA follows the coast line from San Francisco to Monterey with elevations from 400 feet to 3,000 feet above sea level. There are 1,500 vineyard acres and the AVA was established in 1981. Despite the challenging terrain in these rugged mountains and hills, highly esteemed wineries have been located here since the early 20th century, when Paul Masson, a Frenchman by birth, started making sparkling wine in the area. By the 1970s vineyards were growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Numerous microclimates within the AVA offer viticulturists diverse growing conditions, and many varietals are grown successfully.

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