1998 Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains

Nestled high up in the California’s Santa Cruz Mountain AVA, Ridge Vineyards are undoubtedly perched even higher in the echelons of the Golden State’s winemaking greats. Since their first vintage in 1962, Ridge have built a solid reputation on championing single-vineyard winemaking, applying their ‘pre-industrial’ approach to winemaking, whilst achieving a perfect resonance among climate, terroir, and varietal. Today, Ridge comprise 22 unique estates, producing among the world’s most sought-after cabernets, zinfandels, chardonnays, field blends and secondary single-varietal wines.
From where it all began, high atop the cool Santa Cruz Mountains, here is the ideal place for farming Bordeaux varietals. In addition to Ridge’s flagship Monte Bello bottling, these low-yielding vines produce several complementary cabernet blends.
"The 1998 Monte Bello Proprietary Red (a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc) exhibits a ripe nose of sweet oak intermixed with blackberries and cassis. It is firm and medium-bodied, with astringent tannin in the finish. Winemaker Paul Draper's comments on the back label are usually modest, but it would appear he is much higher on this vintage than my notes suggest. The 1998 Monte Bello needs 4-5 years of cellaring, and should develop along the lines of an austere Bordeaux vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020+." 88 points, The Wine Advocate.