You know I love me some Ridge Vineyards.
In 2011, Kara and I became members of their Monte Bello Collector program.
Along with being able to purchase their epic Monte Bello Bordeaux blend at a deep discount, as members, Kara and I get to go to some pretty awesome events. Saturday, we went to the First Assemblage and Component Tasting at their Monte Bello estate in Cupertino. It’s a chance for prospective Monte Bello buyers to taste the individual varietal components of the blend, as well as a sneak peek at the 2012 vintage before it gets bottled up.
Here’s how it all went down…
At check in, we were treated to a glass of the 2011 Estate Chardonnay. It’s loaded with lemon and minerals, all wrapped up in a cloud of creamy goodness.
Onto the components of the Ridge 2012 Monte Bello…
This is the 2012 Petit Verdot. It’s got coffee and cocoa on the nose. The mouthfeel is mad grippy. Some initial green flavors transition to fruit of cranberry and orange zest.
Here’s the 2012 Merlot. Super mocha and espresso on the nose. Big fruits of cherry and cranberry, with just a touch of grapefruit. Wow.
While sipping on this killer Merlot, we took some time to check out the food…
Charcuterie from Fatted Calf, Bread from Gayle’s Bakery, and Cheese Selections by Kirstin Jackson (Author of It’s Not You, It’s Brie)
More components…
The 2012 Cabernet Franc had a super espresso and toffee nose. The wine was bright and fun, with a whole lot of raspberry and cranberry fruit.
On the nose, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon gave notes of chocolate candy oranges. The palate was super bright with orange and raspberry fruit. Hella tasty!
After tasting the components, I was excited to be among the first civilians to taste the primary assemblage of the 2012 Monte Bello.
Here it is. This is the Ridge 2012 Monte Bello, poured by one Paul Draper. I asked Paul if he was excited about this vintage. He said he was very happy with the big fruit notes on this wine. According to Paul, this wine will rival the 1997 and 2001 vintages of Monte Bello (That is a REALLY good thing). The wine is composed of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot. Of course, this young Monte Bello has espresso on the nose from the toast of the American Oak. There is some massive bright red fruit on this wine, evened out with notes of tobacco and menthol. This wine is great.
The Component Tasting is also the first chance for the public to taste the 2010 Monte Bello. If you bought futures for this wine in 2011 (like we did), this is also an opportunity to pick up your wine.
The 2010 Monte Bello has aromas of blackberry and plum. The wine has a great acidity, tasty cranberry fruit, and herbaceous tobacco notes. Mad sophisticated.
Kara and I took our time enjoying this one.
Back in the tasting room, Ridge had more treats for us…
The 2010 Estate Merlot shows aromas of bright red fruit and baking spices. The palate has bright cranberry and raspberry fruit with some nice herbs.
Here’s the 2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Big. Bright. Great mouthfeel. Pound for pound, this is one of the best Cabs around.
The 2007 Monte Bello has menthol and tobacco herbs, along with tomato and cranberry fruit. Very good.
The 2008 Jimsomare Zinfandel is a rare treat. Bright and concentrated fruits of cranberry, blackberry, and raspberry, with an earthy balance. Good stuff.
What a great event.
I even brought some gold back from the mountain…
This magnum of Ridge 2010 Monte Bello fits perfectly in my wine fridge. Check back in 2035, and I’ll tell you how it turns out.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your favorite wine event? Have you ever purchased wine on futures? Leave a comment, and tell us what you think.
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Tags: 2010, 2012, cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Component Tasting, First Assemblage, Jimsomare, Merlot, Monte Bello, Petit Verdot, Ridge Vineyards, zinfandel
Stay Rad 
March 11, 2013 at 1:07 pm |
As you know, my English is quite limited. Could you please translate, “mad grippy,” for me?
March 11, 2013 at 7:24 pm |
Sorry, pop.
Think of grip as an expression of mouthfeel. As if every single drop of wine is grabbing onto your mouth and tongue from the inside… in a good way.
Mad Grippy means that it is tough to look past how awesome the grip is on this wine.
March 11, 2013 at 1:11 pm |
I went up yesterday…nobody does it better than Ridge!
March 11, 2013 at 7:24 pm |
Which one was your favorite?
March 11, 2013 at 3:11 pm |
“The mouthfeel is mad grippy.”
A. The wine is beautifully balanced and well proportioned.
B. The tannins are very tight (“grippy”).
C. Both answer A and B are incorrect.
😀
March 11, 2013 at 7:25 pm |
Exactly!
March 11, 2013 at 8:44 pm |
My faves yesterday was the Jimsomare…b/c it’s ready to drink now. Loved the complex aromas on the components, and the 2010, but it’s so young, it wasn’t as enjoyable for me. And dude! 2035? LOL…you’re a better man than me!
March 11, 2013 at 9:00 pm |
Kara was thinking more like 2020.
March 11, 2013 at 9:12 pm |
Yes…I think that 10 years is the generally accepted minimum for MB…