Ridge 2022 Monte Bello Estate Red Wine 86% Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot Cabernet Franc Santa Cruz Mountains California 98 Points Wine Enthusiast 97 Points Decanter 13.8% ABV 750ml
Ridge 2022 Monte Bello Estate Red Wine 86% Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot Cabernet Franc Santa Cruz Mountains California 98 Points Wine Enthusiast 97 Points Decanter 13.8% ABV 750ml
There are very few wines produced anywhere in California that carry the weight of history, the critical consensus, and the sheer longevity of Monte Bello. Ridge Vineyards has been producing this wine from the same high-elevation Santa Cruz Mountains estate since 1962 — and its international reputation was secured permanently in 1976, when the 1971 Monte Bello placed fifth at the Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting that announced California to the wine world. Sixty-three consecutive vintages later, the 2022 arrives with a critical reception that places it among the finest Monte Bellos in a generation.
The numbers are exceptional and drawn from the most respected critical voices in the wine world: 97 Points from Decanter. 96 Points from Wine Advocate, evoking "a hypothetical blend between the textural power of the 2017 and the bracing structure of the 2015." 97 Points from James Suckling. 98 Points from Wine.com's Wilfred Wong — who has been tasting Monte Bello since its inaugural 1962 vintage. Vinous awarded 96 Points and called it a wine that "whispers rather than shouts" with "time very much on your side." Owen Bargreen at OwenBargreen.com awarded 99 Points.
The 2022 vintage itself is the story behind all of that recognition. A third consecutive drought year in the Santa Cruz Mountains produced tannic, small-berried, intensely concentrated fruit — the lowest yields in years. Ridge responded with meticulous precision: all grapes fermented as whole berries, pump-overs halved compared to a typical Monte Bello vintage, 18 of 21 lots selected by blind tasting before assemblage, and 21 additional months in 100% American oak after the final blend was determined. The result is a Monte Bello built for the very long term — tightly wound in youth, impeccably structured, and carrying fruit intensity that rewards patience measured in decades rather than years.
Origins & Craftsmanship
The Monte Bello story begins in 1885, when Dr. Osea Perrone — a physician and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community — purchased 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains and planted vineyards. He constructed a winery of redwood and native limestone in time to produce the first vintage of Monte Bello in 1892. After Prohibition forced abandonment, eight acres of Cabernet Sauvignon were replanted in 1949 and became the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello in 1962, made by a group of Stanford Research Institute engineers led by David Bennion who were captivated by the site's potential. That historic stone winery building still serves as Ridge's production facility today.
The Monte Bello vineyard stretches across four distinct ranches on the ridge — Klein, Rousten, Torre, and Perrone — spanning elevations from 1,600 to 2,700 feet. This extraordinary elevation, combined with the vineyard's proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its ancient limestone-rich soils, creates a growing environment categorically different from Napa Valley and the warmer reaches of the California wine country. The high elevation produces dramatic diurnal temperature swings that preserve natural acidity; the Pacific influence provides the cooling that prevents overripeness; and the Franciscan limestone bedrock contributes the mineral complexity and the distinctive crushed stone character that is Monte Bello's most immediate terroir signature.
By harvest's end, the Monte Bello vineyard is divided into 55 separate blocks — each picked and fermented independently. For the 2022 vintage, the third consecutive drought year, all grapes were fully destemmed and fermented as whole berries to manage the vintage's naturally elevated tannin levels. Pump-overs were reduced to half the typical frequency for Monte Bello — a deliberate choice to extract fruit character without amplifying the vintage's inherent structural intensity. The resulting lots were then evaluated by blind tasting — Ridge's own winemaking team assessing each lot without knowledge of its origin — before 18 of 21 lots were selected for the final assemblage. After blending, the wine aged an additional 21 months in 100% new American oak before bottling. The final blend comprises 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc — sourced entirely from the estate vineyard, at 13.8% ABV.
Ridge remains one of the most philosophically consistent and transparently operated wineries in California — a producer that has listed ingredients on its labels since before it was fashionable to do so, that uses native yeasts and minimal intervention at every stage, and that has maintained the same mountain estate focus for over 60 years without deviation.
Critics Reviews
Decanter — 97 Points The limestone soils, high elevation (1,600–2,700 feet), and Pacific proximity create a distinctly different Cabernet than much of California. The 2022 drought produced tannic, tiny fruit on the estate. The wine was fully destemmed and pump-overs halved. Tightly wound in youth with 100% new American oak for 20 months.
Wine Advocate — 96 Points "A rich and distinctly firm iteration of this classic cuvée, evoking a hypothetical blend between the textural power of the 2017 and the bracing structure of the 2015. The nose displays a classically deep and resonant bouquet of red and black fruits, vanilla pod, dark chocolate, cigar wrapper and dried herbs, with balsamic overtones and admirable oak integration. The palate combines lush generosity with an eminently sturdy core, concluding with a stern, bracing finish of firm tannins, pleasantly complemented by gentle succulence."
James Suckling — 97 Points "A fruit-driven example of Monte Bello coming from the warm 2022 vintage. Layers of blackcurrants, black cherries, cedar, licorice, olive brine and spices on the nose. Full-bodied with a seamless mouthfeel, fine tannins and bright acidity. Much to love for early drinking, but will age well. Drink or hold."
Vinous — 96 Points "An expressive nose, a mélange of red and black fruit, fig jam, dates and touches of clove. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins — hints of espresso and cloves tincture the multi-layered fruit that veers towards black rather than red. The finish fans out without a care in the world. A beautifully crafted Monte Bello. It whispers rather than shouts. Time is very much on your side. Drink 2027–2070."
Wine.com — 98 Points (Wilfred Wong) Awarded by a critic who has evaluated Monte Bello from its inaugural 1962 vintage. Best 2028–2042.
Tasting Profile
Nose Saturated ruby with deep purple highlights — the concentration of the drought vintage immediately apparent in the color. The nose is intense, layered, and unmistakably Monte Bello. Blackcurrant and cassis lead with cool-mountain precision — vivid, focused, and deeply fruited — alongside black cherry, dark plum, and boysenberry that add depth and darkness. Fennel and dry chaparral contribute the wild herb dimension that is the Santa Cruz Mountains' most specific terroir signature, alongside tobacco leaf and cigar wrapper. Dark chocolate and crushed stone add richness and mineral depth. Toasted oak from 21 months in new American barrels is present but integrated — evident as structure rather than flavor. With air, dried mint, cedar, olive brine, and a whisper of vanilla pod emerge. The nose is, in every sense, a mountain wine — wild, complex, mineral, and built for the long view.
Palate Rich, full-bodied, and impeccably structured — the 2022 vintage's drought-concentrated fruit carrying considerable intensity through a frame of firm, well-formed tannins that are the defining architectural feature of this vintage. Mountain bramble and cassis arrive first with genuine power and depth, giving way to a mid-palate of dark currants, roasted figs, dark chocolate shavings, and anise seed. Fine acidity — natural, bright, and precisely calibrated — runs through the entire palate as a thread of freshness that keeps the concentration from becoming heavy. The limestone minerality that Decanter specifically noted carries through as a crushed stone quality at the center — earthy, mineral, and distinctly of the mountain. Licorice root, balsamic notes, and a gentle succulence balance the structural firmness. The mouthfeel is simultaneously powerful and lithe — the drought fruit's intensity matched by the acidity's lift in a combination that the finest Monte Bello vintages always achieve.
Finish Very long, firm, and limestone-driven. Natural firm acidity and polished tannins lead the close together — drying gradually and cleanly rather than gripping — alongside a persistent echo of cassis, dark chocolate, and the mountain chaparral herb character that defines this vineyard's aromatic identity. The crushed stone and limestone minerality that runs through the whole wine is most apparent at the finish — cool, stony, and deeply satisfying. Vinous's assessment that "time is very much on your side" is the most accurate possible characterization of a finish that will become progressively more complex and harmonious as the decades pass.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California |
| Vintage | 2022 — third consecutive drought year |
| Producer | Ridge Vineyards (est. 1962 — Monte Bello first vintage) |
| Vineyard | Monte Bello Estate — Klein, Rousten, Torre & Perrone ranches |
| Elevation | 1,600–2,700 feet |
| Blend | 86% Cabernet Sauvignon · 10% Merlot · 2% Petit Verdot · 2% Cabernet Franc |
| ABV | 13.8% |
| Lots Selected | 18 of 21 — blind tasting selection |
| Oak | 100% new American oak — 21 months post-assemblage |
| Vinification | Whole berry fermentation · Halved pump-overs · Fully destemmed |
| Terroir | Franciscan limestone — Pacific-influenced · High elevation diurnal swings |
| Style / Identity | Mountain estate Cabernet — structured, mineral, cool-climate, decades-worthy |
| Aromas & Flavors | Blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, chaparral, fennel, crushed stone, cedar, licorice, anise, roasted figs, olive brine |
| Drinking Window | Drink 2028–2070 (various critics) |
| Historical Note | 1971 Monte Bello placed 5th at the 1976 Judgment of Paris |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serving & Occasion
Best served at 62–65°F in a large Bordeaux bowl that allows the chaparral, cassis, and limestone aromatics to fully open. Decanting two to three hours is strongly recommended — the 2022's firmly structured tannins and tightly wound youth benefit considerably from extended air exposure. Multiple critics suggest the optimal drinking window begins in 2027–2028 at the earliest, with peak complexity arriving between 2030 and 2046. Those opening a bottle now are experiencing the beginning of a genuinely long arc — rewarding, but not yet at its full expression. Outstanding alongside prime rib, rack of lamb, braised short ribs, aged hard cheeses, and wild mushroom preparations that echo the wine's earthy, mineral character. An exceptional cellar candidate and one of the most historically significant gifting wines produced in California — the Judgment of Paris provenance and 60-year consecutive vintage history make Monte Bello immediately recognizable to any serious wine collector.
Ridge 2022 Monte Bello Estate Red Wine 86% Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot Cabernet Franc Santa Cruz Mountains California 98 Points Wine Enthusiast 97 Points Decanter 13.8% ABV 750ml
There are very few wines produced anywhere in California that carry the weight of history, the critical consensus, and the sheer longevity of Monte Bello. Ridge Vineyards has been producing this wine from the same high-elevation Santa Cruz Mountains estate since 1962 — and its international reputation was secured permanently in 1976, when the 1971 Monte Bello placed fifth at the Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting that announced California to the wine world. Sixty-three consecutive vintages later, the 2022 arrives with a critical reception that places it among the finest Monte Bellos in a generation.
The numbers are exceptional and drawn from the most respected critical voices in the wine world: 97 Points from Decanter. 96 Points from Wine Advocate, evoking "a hypothetical blend between the textural power of the 2017 and the bracing structure of the 2015." 97 Points from James Suckling. 98 Points from Wine.com's Wilfred Wong — who has been tasting Monte Bello since its inaugural 1962 vintage. Vinous awarded 96 Points and called it a wine that "whispers rather than shouts" with "time very much on your side." Owen Bargreen at OwenBargreen.com awarded 99 Points.
The 2022 vintage itself is the story behind all of that recognition. A third consecutive drought year in the Santa Cruz Mountains produced tannic, small-berried, intensely concentrated fruit — the lowest yields in years. Ridge responded with meticulous precision: all grapes fermented as whole berries, pump-overs halved compared to a typical Monte Bello vintage, 18 of 21 lots selected by blind tasting before assemblage, and 21 additional months in 100% American oak after the final blend was determined. The result is a Monte Bello built for the very long term — tightly wound in youth, impeccably structured, and carrying fruit intensity that rewards patience measured in decades rather than years.
Origins & Craftsmanship
The Monte Bello story begins in 1885, when Dr. Osea Perrone — a physician and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community — purchased 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains and planted vineyards. He constructed a winery of redwood and native limestone in time to produce the first vintage of Monte Bello in 1892. After Prohibition forced abandonment, eight acres of Cabernet Sauvignon were replanted in 1949 and became the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello in 1962, made by a group of Stanford Research Institute engineers led by David Bennion who were captivated by the site's potential. That historic stone winery building still serves as Ridge's production facility today.
The Monte Bello vineyard stretches across four distinct ranches on the ridge — Klein, Rousten, Torre, and Perrone — spanning elevations from 1,600 to 2,700 feet. This extraordinary elevation, combined with the vineyard's proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its ancient limestone-rich soils, creates a growing environment categorically different from Napa Valley and the warmer reaches of the California wine country. The high elevation produces dramatic diurnal temperature swings that preserve natural acidity; the Pacific influence provides the cooling that prevents overripeness; and the Franciscan limestone bedrock contributes the mineral complexity and the distinctive crushed stone character that is Monte Bello's most immediate terroir signature.
By harvest's end, the Monte Bello vineyard is divided into 55 separate blocks — each picked and fermented independently. For the 2022 vintage, the third consecutive drought year, all grapes were fully destemmed and fermented as whole berries to manage the vintage's naturally elevated tannin levels. Pump-overs were reduced to half the typical frequency for Monte Bello — a deliberate choice to extract fruit character without amplifying the vintage's inherent structural intensity. The resulting lots were then evaluated by blind tasting — Ridge's own winemaking team assessing each lot without knowledge of its origin — before 18 of 21 lots were selected for the final assemblage. After blending, the wine aged an additional 21 months in 100% new American oak before bottling. The final blend comprises 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc — sourced entirely from the estate vineyard, at 13.8% ABV.
Ridge remains one of the most philosophically consistent and transparently operated wineries in California — a producer that has listed ingredients on its labels since before it was fashionable to do so, that uses native yeasts and minimal intervention at every stage, and that has maintained the same mountain estate focus for over 60 years without deviation.
Critics Reviews
Decanter — 97 Points The limestone soils, high elevation (1,600–2,700 feet), and Pacific proximity create a distinctly different Cabernet than much of California. The 2022 drought produced tannic, tiny fruit on the estate. The wine was fully destemmed and pump-overs halved. Tightly wound in youth with 100% new American oak for 20 months.
Wine Advocate — 96 Points "A rich and distinctly firm iteration of this classic cuvée, evoking a hypothetical blend between the textural power of the 2017 and the bracing structure of the 2015. The nose displays a classically deep and resonant bouquet of red and black fruits, vanilla pod, dark chocolate, cigar wrapper and dried herbs, with balsamic overtones and admirable oak integration. The palate combines lush generosity with an eminently sturdy core, concluding with a stern, bracing finish of firm tannins, pleasantly complemented by gentle succulence."
James Suckling — 97 Points "A fruit-driven example of Monte Bello coming from the warm 2022 vintage. Layers of blackcurrants, black cherries, cedar, licorice, olive brine and spices on the nose. Full-bodied with a seamless mouthfeel, fine tannins and bright acidity. Much to love for early drinking, but will age well. Drink or hold."
Vinous — 96 Points "An expressive nose, a mélange of red and black fruit, fig jam, dates and touches of clove. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins — hints of espresso and cloves tincture the multi-layered fruit that veers towards black rather than red. The finish fans out without a care in the world. A beautifully crafted Monte Bello. It whispers rather than shouts. Time is very much on your side. Drink 2027–2070."
Wine.com — 98 Points (Wilfred Wong) Awarded by a critic who has evaluated Monte Bello from its inaugural 1962 vintage. Best 2028–2042.
Tasting Profile
Nose Saturated ruby with deep purple highlights — the concentration of the drought vintage immediately apparent in the color. The nose is intense, layered, and unmistakably Monte Bello. Blackcurrant and cassis lead with cool-mountain precision — vivid, focused, and deeply fruited — alongside black cherry, dark plum, and boysenberry that add depth and darkness. Fennel and dry chaparral contribute the wild herb dimension that is the Santa Cruz Mountains' most specific terroir signature, alongside tobacco leaf and cigar wrapper. Dark chocolate and crushed stone add richness and mineral depth. Toasted oak from 21 months in new American barrels is present but integrated — evident as structure rather than flavor. With air, dried mint, cedar, olive brine, and a whisper of vanilla pod emerge. The nose is, in every sense, a mountain wine — wild, complex, mineral, and built for the long view.
Palate Rich, full-bodied, and impeccably structured — the 2022 vintage's drought-concentrated fruit carrying considerable intensity through a frame of firm, well-formed tannins that are the defining architectural feature of this vintage. Mountain bramble and cassis arrive first with genuine power and depth, giving way to a mid-palate of dark currants, roasted figs, dark chocolate shavings, and anise seed. Fine acidity — natural, bright, and precisely calibrated — runs through the entire palate as a thread of freshness that keeps the concentration from becoming heavy. The limestone minerality that Decanter specifically noted carries through as a crushed stone quality at the center — earthy, mineral, and distinctly of the mountain. Licorice root, balsamic notes, and a gentle succulence balance the structural firmness. The mouthfeel is simultaneously powerful and lithe — the drought fruit's intensity matched by the acidity's lift in a combination that the finest Monte Bello vintages always achieve.
Finish Very long, firm, and limestone-driven. Natural firm acidity and polished tannins lead the close together — drying gradually and cleanly rather than gripping — alongside a persistent echo of cassis, dark chocolate, and the mountain chaparral herb character that defines this vineyard's aromatic identity. The crushed stone and limestone minerality that runs through the whole wine is most apparent at the finish — cool, stony, and deeply satisfying. Vinous's assessment that "time is very much on your side" is the most accurate possible characterization of a finish that will become progressively more complex and harmonious as the decades pass.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California |
| Vintage | 2022 — third consecutive drought year |
| Producer | Ridge Vineyards (est. 1962 — Monte Bello first vintage) |
| Vineyard | Monte Bello Estate — Klein, Rousten, Torre & Perrone ranches |
| Elevation | 1,600–2,700 feet |
| Blend | 86% Cabernet Sauvignon · 10% Merlot · 2% Petit Verdot · 2% Cabernet Franc |
| ABV | 13.8% |
| Lots Selected | 18 of 21 — blind tasting selection |
| Oak | 100% new American oak — 21 months post-assemblage |
| Vinification | Whole berry fermentation · Halved pump-overs · Fully destemmed |
| Terroir | Franciscan limestone — Pacific-influenced · High elevation diurnal swings |
| Style / Identity | Mountain estate Cabernet — structured, mineral, cool-climate, decades-worthy |
| Aromas & Flavors | Blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, chaparral, fennel, crushed stone, cedar, licorice, anise, roasted figs, olive brine |
| Drinking Window | Drink 2028–2070 (various critics) |
| Historical Note | 1971 Monte Bello placed 5th at the 1976 Judgment of Paris |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serving & Occasion
Best served at 62–65°F in a large Bordeaux bowl that allows the chaparral, cassis, and limestone aromatics to fully open. Decanting two to three hours is strongly recommended — the 2022's firmly structured tannins and tightly wound youth benefit considerably from extended air exposure. Multiple critics suggest the optimal drinking window begins in 2027–2028 at the earliest, with peak complexity arriving between 2030 and 2046. Those opening a bottle now are experiencing the beginning of a genuinely long arc — rewarding, but not yet at its full expression. Outstanding alongside prime rib, rack of lamb, braised short ribs, aged hard cheeses, and wild mushroom preparations that echo the wine's earthy, mineral character. An exceptional cellar candidate and one of the most historically significant gifting wines produced in California — the Judgment of Paris provenance and 60-year consecutive vintage history make Monte Bello immediately recognizable to any serious wine collector.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
There are very few wines produced anywhere in California that carry the weight of history, the critical consensus, and the sheer longevity of Monte Bello. Ridge Vineyards has been producing this wine from the same high-elevation Santa Cruz Mountains estate since 1962 — and its international reputation was secured permanently in 1976, when the 1971 Monte Bello placed fifth at the Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting that announced California to the wine world. Sixty-three consecutive vintages later, the 2022 arrives with a critical reception that places it among the finest Monte Bellos in a generation.
The numbers are exceptional and drawn from the most respected critical voices in the wine world: 97 Points from Decanter. 96 Points from Wine Advocate, evoking "a hypothetical blend between the textural power of the 2017 and the bracing structure of the 2015." 97 Points from James Suckling. 98 Points from Wine.com's Wilfred Wong — who has been tasting Monte Bello since its inaugural 1962 vintage. Vinous awarded 96 Points and called it a wine that "whispers rather than shouts" with "time very much on your side." Owen Bargreen at OwenBargreen.com awarded 99 Points.
The 2022 vintage itself is the story behind all of that recognition. A third consecutive drought year in the Santa Cruz Mountains produced tannic, small-berried, intensely concentrated fruit — the lowest yields in years. Ridge responded with meticulous precision: all grapes fermented as whole berries, pump-overs halved compared to a typical Monte Bello vintage, 18 of 21 lots selected by blind tasting before assemblage, and 21 additional months in 100% American oak after the final blend was determined. The result is a Monte Bello built for the very long term — tightly wound in youth, impeccably structured, and carrying fruit intensity that rewards patience measured in decades rather than years.
Origins & Craftsmanship
The Monte Bello story begins in 1885, when Dr. Osea Perrone — a physician and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community — purchased 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains and planted vineyards. He constructed a winery of redwood and native limestone in time to produce the first vintage of Monte Bello in 1892. After Prohibition forced abandonment, eight acres of Cabernet Sauvignon were replanted in 1949 and became the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello in 1962, made by a group of Stanford Research Institute engineers led by David Bennion who were captivated by the site's potential. That historic stone winery building still serves as Ridge's production facility today.
The Monte Bello vineyard stretches across four distinct ranches on the ridge — Klein, Rousten, Torre, and Perrone — spanning elevations from 1,600 to 2,700 feet. This extraordinary elevation, combined with the vineyard's proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its ancient limestone-rich soils, creates a growing environment categorically different from Napa Valley and the warmer reaches of the California wine country. The high elevation produces dramatic diurnal temperature swings that preserve natural acidity; the Pacific influence provides the cooling that prevents overripeness; and the Franciscan limestone bedrock contributes the mineral complexity and the distinctive crushed stone character that is Monte Bello's most immediate terroir signature.
By harvest's end, the Monte Bello vineyard is divided into 55 separate blocks — each picked and fermented independently. For the 2022 vintage, the third consecutive drought year, all grapes were fully destemmed and fermented as whole berries to manage the vintage's naturally elevated tannin levels. Pump-overs were reduced to half the typical frequency for Monte Bello — a deliberate choice to extract fruit character without amplifying the vintage's inherent structural intensity. The resulting lots were then evaluated by blind tasting — Ridge's own winemaking team assessing each lot without knowledge of its origin — before 18 of 21 lots were selected for the final assemblage. After blending, the wine aged an additional 21 months in 100% new American oak before bottling. The final blend comprises 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc — sourced entirely from the estate vineyard, at 13.8% ABV.
Ridge remains one of the most philosophically consistent and transparently operated wineries in California — a producer that has listed ingredients on its labels since before it was fashionable to do so, that uses native yeasts and minimal intervention at every stage, and that has maintained the same mountain estate focus for over 60 years without deviation.
Critics Reviews
Decanter — 97 Points The limestone soils, high elevation (1,600–2,700 feet), and Pacific proximity create a distinctly different Cabernet than much of California. The 2022 drought produced tannic, tiny fruit on the estate. The wine was fully destemmed and pump-overs halved. Tightly wound in youth with 100% new American oak for 20 months.
Wine Advocate — 96 Points "A rich and distinctly firm iteration of this classic cuvée, evoking a hypothetical blend between the textural power of the 2017 and the bracing structure of the 2015. The nose displays a classically deep and resonant bouquet of red and black fruits, vanilla pod, dark chocolate, cigar wrapper and dried herbs, with balsamic overtones and admirable oak integration. The palate combines lush generosity with an eminently sturdy core, concluding with a stern, bracing finish of firm tannins, pleasantly complemented by gentle succulence."
James Suckling — 97 Points "A fruit-driven example of Monte Bello coming from the warm 2022 vintage. Layers of blackcurrants, black cherries, cedar, licorice, olive brine and spices on the nose. Full-bodied with a seamless mouthfeel, fine tannins and bright acidity. Much to love for early drinking, but will age well. Drink or hold."
Vinous — 96 Points "An expressive nose, a mélange of red and black fruit, fig jam, dates and touches of clove. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins — hints of espresso and cloves tincture the multi-layered fruit that veers towards black rather than red. The finish fans out without a care in the world. A beautifully crafted Monte Bello. It whispers rather than shouts. Time is very much on your side. Drink 2027–2070."
Wine.com — 98 Points (Wilfred Wong) Awarded by a critic who has evaluated Monte Bello from its inaugural 1962 vintage. Best 2028–2042.
Tasting Profile
Nose Saturated ruby with deep purple highlights — the concentration of the drought vintage immediately apparent in the color. The nose is intense, layered, and unmistakably Monte Bello. Blackcurrant and cassis lead with cool-mountain precision — vivid, focused, and deeply fruited — alongside black cherry, dark plum, and boysenberry that add depth and darkness. Fennel and dry chaparral contribute the wild herb dimension that is the Santa Cruz Mountains' most specific terroir signature, alongside tobacco leaf and cigar wrapper. Dark chocolate and crushed stone add richness and mineral depth. Toasted oak from 21 months in new American barrels is present but integrated — evident as structure rather than flavor. With air, dried mint, cedar, olive brine, and a whisper of vanilla pod emerge. The nose is, in every sense, a mountain wine — wild, complex, mineral, and built for the long view.
Palate Rich, full-bodied, and impeccably structured — the 2022 vintage's drought-concentrated fruit carrying considerable intensity through a frame of firm, well-formed tannins that are the defining architectural feature of this vintage. Mountain bramble and cassis arrive first with genuine power and depth, giving way to a mid-palate of dark currants, roasted figs, dark chocolate shavings, and anise seed. Fine acidity — natural, bright, and precisely calibrated — runs through the entire palate as a thread of freshness that keeps the concentration from becoming heavy. The limestone minerality that Decanter specifically noted carries through as a crushed stone quality at the center — earthy, mineral, and distinctly of the mountain. Licorice root, balsamic notes, and a gentle succulence balance the structural firmness. The mouthfeel is simultaneously powerful and lithe — the drought fruit's intensity matched by the acidity's lift in a combination that the finest Monte Bello vintages always achieve.
Finish Very long, firm, and limestone-driven. Natural firm acidity and polished tannins lead the close together — drying gradually and cleanly rather than gripping — alongside a persistent echo of cassis, dark chocolate, and the mountain chaparral herb character that defines this vineyard's aromatic identity. The crushed stone and limestone minerality that runs through the whole wine is most apparent at the finish — cool, stony, and deeply satisfying. Vinous's assessment that "time is very much on your side" is the most accurate possible characterization of a finish that will become progressively more complex and harmonious as the decades pass.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California |
| Vintage | 2022 — third consecutive drought year |
| Producer | Ridge Vineyards (est. 1962 — Monte Bello first vintage) |
| Vineyard | Monte Bello Estate — Klein, Rousten, Torre & Perrone ranches |
| Elevation | 1,600–2,700 feet |
| Blend | 86% Cabernet Sauvignon · 10% Merlot · 2% Petit Verdot · 2% Cabernet Franc |
| ABV | 13.8% |
| Lots Selected | 18 of 21 — blind tasting selection |
| Oak | 100% new American oak — 21 months post-assemblage |
| Vinification | Whole berry fermentation · Halved pump-overs · Fully destemmed |
| Terroir | Franciscan limestone — Pacific-influenced · High elevation diurnal swings |
| Style / Identity | Mountain estate Cabernet — structured, mineral, cool-climate, decades-worthy |
| Aromas & Flavors | Blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, chaparral, fennel, crushed stone, cedar, licorice, anise, roasted figs, olive brine |
| Drinking Window | Drink 2028–2070 (various critics) |
| Historical Note | 1971 Monte Bello placed 5th at the 1976 Judgment of Paris |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serving & Occasion
Best served at 62–65°F in a large Bordeaux bowl that allows the chaparral, cassis, and limestone aromatics to fully open. Decanting two to three hours is strongly recommended — the 2022's firmly structured tannins and tightly wound youth benefit considerably from extended air exposure. Multiple critics suggest the optimal drinking window begins in 2027–2028 at the earliest, with peak complexity arriving between 2030 and 2046. Those opening a bottle now are experiencing the beginning of a genuinely long arc — rewarding, but not yet at its full expression. Outstanding alongside prime rib, rack of lamb, braised short ribs, aged hard cheeses, and wild mushroom preparations that echo the wine's earthy, mineral character. An exceptional cellar candidate and one of the most historically significant gifting wines produced in California — the Judgment of Paris provenance and 60-year consecutive vintage history make Monte Bello immediately recognizable to any serious wine collector.
