Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Ridge Vineyards — Estate Chardonnay 2023
Monte Bello Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Chardonnay from Ridge’s Monte Bello Estate, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains and strongly influenced by the cool Pacific. The exceptionally long, cool 2023 growing season preserved freshness and varietal character, while barrel fermentation followed by nine months on the lees added texture and dimension. At 14.1% ABV, it carries surprising substance without sacrificing its cool-climate identity.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh lemon, yellow apple, pear, citrus blossom, and subtle stone fruit unfold gradually, joined by mineral notes, gentle vanilla, and restrained barrel nuances. Air brings out additional layers without turning the wine overtly oaky.

Mouthfeel
Beautifully texturized yet remarkably fresh. Bright acidity provides tension while lees aging gives the mid-palate a gentle creaminess and polished weight. It keeps evolving after opening, moving between delicacy, mineral energy, and increasingly expressive fruit.

Food Pairings
Excellent alone, but equally comfortable with scallops, lobster, grilled halibut, roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, or richer seafood preparations. Its combination of acidity and texture lets it pivot effortlessly between sipping and serious cuisine.

Verdict
A fascinating expression of mountain-grown California Chardonnay. Delicate yet substantial, refreshing yet textural, it demonstrates how a cool Pacific-influenced site can deliver ripeness without sacrificing precision or energy.

Did You Know?
Monte Bello sits high above Silicon Valley on the Santa Cruz Mountains ridge, with vineyards exposed to significant Pacific influence. Ridge notes that 2023 was one of its longest and coolest recent growing seasons; the extended harvest helped preserve acidity while allowing slow flavor development—the tension you can genuinely feel in this Chardonnay.

🍷 Personal Pick
This sits comfortably among my favorite coastal-influenced Northern California Chardonnays. What gets me is the evolution: refreshing and delicate at first, then progressively more textural and expressive as it opens. It has enough finesse to enjoy completely on its own and enough structure to sit beside fine cuisine. That versatility, without losing its cool-climate personality, is what makes this one special. — 10 days ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Very nice ridge zin - higher altitude from their Monte bello property. Was looking for something to pair with chicken thighs marinated in a peruvian style and this definitely fit the bill. Nice fruit on the nose and palate, but not remotely jammy. Definitely a bite of tannins on the finish. At 13.5% this was very nice with a slight chill. Good reminder to look for more zin - at least if not a 15%+ bruiser. — 3 years ago

Steve Medbery

9.6

Classic traditional California Cab, built to age, low alcohol ( 13,5 ), and a a great vineyard. Other than possibly Ridge Monte Bello, this is my favorite California Cab. Cedar, plum, dark chocolate — 6 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.5

Classically styled CF, just like their Cabernet Sauvignon 👍🏼 — 7 years ago

Tiffani Tenorio.Yarris

9.0

I really enjoyed this wine and loved that it was holding up beautifully - I must preface I enjoy older wines, and love wines on all lengths of their journey. Apple, melon, lanolin - rich mouth feel - finishes elegantly and soft. — 8 years ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.4

Not as good as expected. A little tired. Nice tho. Day 3, so good! Time and air made this insane. Love, — a month ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

One of my absolute favorite California wines. The California Latour. ‘97 is superb—vividly detailed and complex with both power and elegance. A masterful balance of fruit, tertiary character and cooling acidity with a silky palate and melting tannins. Hard to beat for a Wagyu pairing. — 8 months ago

Joan Ziegler

9.4

Something spec. Try it — 4 years ago

Chris McClellan

9.0

Big tropical fruits, lemon curd, luscious, yet retains acid in the end…maybe too much vanilla cream (oak) for me, but overall delicious after dinner and segway to whiskey around the fire…. — 5 years ago

with Michael and Ryan

David Todd

9.3

Very good. Needs to really breath. Deep tannins complex — 7 years ago

with Karyn, Brian and 1 other

Sam Friedland

9.2

Took sometime to open. Still some fruit， tannins. Half a bottle 1992. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

History begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor in San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is 100% Zin! Deep red almost purple. Aromas of cherry fruit and unmistakable Zin spice! In the palate, blackberry and cherry flavors with peppery herb spice integrated with dusty tannins. Lively acidity shows up in the medium finish ending with a big fruit finish. Nice! — 8 years ago

P Plusquellec

9.7

Hard to find a flaw — a month ago

Bruce Leboff

9.2

A big and bold Cali cab- a bit bold bordering on over the top power. A bit of California sweetness but fun to drink. Has many years left - saving the next bottle for a big juicy steak meal — 4 months ago

with Michael

Conrad Green

9.4

Pure and elegant. Loads of character. Glossy and delicious. Excellent — 9 months ago

with Peter, Gregg and 1 other

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

History begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor in San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Blend of 84% Zinfandel, 9% Alicante Bouschet, 7% Petite, aromas of jammy red/black fruits and loads of complex spice. The palate shows flavors of sweet plum and cherry with pepper, smoke, tobacco and herbs. Fine tannins on the grainy side, well balanced long ending with earthy oak. — 4 years ago

Julia Reinstein

9.2

making ragu with Paolo — 7 years ago

Lance Williams

9.2

Tasted at March 2019 Montebello Collector event — 8 years ago

Robert McNally

10

As perfect as everyone says it is — 8 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.5

What a pleasant surprise! From Monte Bello to Geyserville, Ridge consistently produces classic Napa greatness. Well balanced, soft mouthfeel, Extremely smooth tannins. A beautiful ruby color, light oak, tobacco, raspberry, dark cherries, got a lot of nuttiness which was a delicious surprise. This wine has aged very well and really shows how a little aging can do wonders. — 9 years ago