Aaron Petersen

9.8

2015 decanted — a month ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.3

A bit too much cassis flavours for my palate which I do not recall when I had my first bottle about a year ago. Nevertheless a very good wine — 2 months ago

FabianG

8.9

#vonsmammoth — 2 months ago

Ming L

8.9

The winery’s entry level Sangiovese bottling. Aged 15 months in second-use French oak for 2020 vintage, it delivers a darker-fruited profile while preserving Sangiovese’s classic character. A versatile, crowd-pleasing choice and pairs especially well Northern Italian pasta dishes. — 4 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.2

Not too many Sangiovese roses in my life. This is good. As it warms it gets much more earthy and vegetal. A lot of red watermelon, but overall savory. Pretty great with bbq. I’m guessing not so great with lighter fare or to crush over an afternoon. — 5 months ago

Lolis Elie

9.4

Beautiful wine. Drinking in the sweet spot. — 6 months ago

Conrad Green

9.1

Dark fruit. Intense and pretty. tangy and tarry. A bit young. — 7 months ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Ridge – Monte Bello 2017
Santa Cruz Mountains – California, USA 🇺🇸
Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc

Overview
One of California’s most legendary wines, Ridge Monte Bello has been estate-grown, produced, and bottled entirely in-house since the 1960s. The 2017 vintage reflects a Bordeaux-inspired blend from the cool Santa Cruz Mountains, offering both structure and elegance. (Educational note: Monte Bello’s higher-altitude vineyards give cooler temperatures, yielding more restrained, ageworthy wines compared to Napa Valley powerhouses.)

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, cassis, and red plum at the core, accented by cedar, graphite, and cocoa. Hints of tobacco, dried herbs, and floral notes bring depth and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and refreshing acidity. A graceful, layered wine that “dances on the palate,” finishing long and harmonious with both power and finesse.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled lamb, prime rib, or braised short ribs. Also pairs beautifully with mushroom risotto or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A benchmark California classic — Bordeaux in inspiration, but with a Santa Cruz identity all its own. The 2017 Monte Bello is elegant, expressive, and deeply satisfying. 🍷

Did You Know?
Ridge’s Monte Bello gained international fame in the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, where it ranked among the world’s top Cabernets, cementing California’s place on the fine wine map.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Highly allocated and cellared by collectors worldwide, Ridge Monte Bello is a vertical-worthy wine with decades of aging potential. — 2 months ago

Steven Heydemann

9.3

In a beautiful place right now. — 3 months ago

Keanna Hogan

10

I really enjoyed this wine. It was the bottle that introduced me to wine drinking. A nice beginner one for me at least. — 4 months ago

MysticMtnMama

10

Never disappoints! Wonderful alternative to champagne. — 5 months ago

Bill Mowry

8.9

Vanilla nose with some acid and minerality. Lemon and citrus flavors paired well with salmon. — 7 months ago

with Cristian, Lou and 1 other

Catalina

9.1

Light on the nose and medium body finish / very delicate flavor but rich notes of maybe vanilla, definitely black cherry, leather, hints of earthy tones. Delicious — 9 months ago

Chris Buggy

8.9

Large format, 15 years old…showing a little signs of age, but still spritely enough. A few years ago, this would’ve been in its prime — 2 months ago

with Jennifer

Ericsson

9.3

One of those surprisingly good wines. — 2 months ago

Yoly Sardinas

9.0

Anniversary ! — 3 months ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

Unusual. Like blood orange relative. Savory & has some depth. — 5 months ago

Michael Gong

9.3

Fruit forward. High tannins and acidity. Spicy, but nice finish. Would enjoy again — 5 months ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.2

Classic Napa cab. Constrained fruit, mellow tannins, good structure. Beautiful cassis notes. This bottle was a gift. After looking up the prices I was pretty shocked. Totally not worth North of $150. — 6 months ago

Monique Blanchard

9.4

Great nose. Smooth throughout — 9 months ago