It was time once again to preview Ridge’s flagship wine, the 2013 Monte Bello, at the Final Assemblage tasting event. I enjoy attending this event as it helps me to learn how young wines evolve. During the component tasting in March, you get to learn how each of the four grape varietals that make up the Monte Bello tastes and how they might taste when added together. (Though here the total wine is much greater than simply the sum of its parts.) This time, the grapes have had another two months in barrel, and there has been careful consideration of each lot’s contribution to the final blend. The result is a 2013 Monte Bello that already tastes like a great wine, with much potential to develop further.
As is customary during these Monte Bello events, you are handed a glass with a taste of the 2012 Estate Chardonnay as you sign in for the event. As the weather was tending towards warm, this was a welcome opener. Inside, the 2013 Monte Bello is accompanied by four other wines, as well as some cheeses, bread, and tasty salami. I started with the 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (which is performing better than I had expected), the 2011 Torre Petit Verdot (which is a rare release), the 2013 Monte Bello final assemblage, and the 2010 Monte Bello. While the Petit Verdot was interesting, my favorite wine was the 2010 Monte Bello, followed very closely by the 2013 final assemblage. It is remarkable how much progress has been achieved in the two months since the component tasting event last March.
 |
| The new garden wall welcoming visitors to Ridge's Monte Bello estate. |
A full review was written already about Ridge Winery during my visit on March 3rd, 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment