Monte Bello (1981)

About this wine

The 1981 Ridge Monte Bello is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, showcasing a deep ruby color with a brick rim, indicative of its age. On the nose, it offers aromas of black currant, leather, mint, and floral notes, reflecting the unique terroir of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The palate reveals a harmonious balance of aged Cabernet fruit, with flavors of cassis, blackberry, and mountain bramble, complemented by lively acidity and polished, velvety tannins. This vintage has developed beautifully over the decades, offering a complex and evolving profile that continues to captivate wine enthusiasts.

About the grape

In the 1981 Ridge Monte Bello, Cabernet Sauvignon made up 92% of the blend, with Merlot contributing the remaining 8%. Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its thick skins and resistance to various vine diseases, thrives in the cool climate of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where Ridge Vineyards is located. Merlot, which ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, added richness to the wine, balancing the structure provided by the Cabernet. This combination showcases how blending these two varietals can enhance the complexity and aging potential of the wine.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 1981 Monte Bello is composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, showcasing a classic Bordeaux-style blend.
• ⛰️ This vintage was produced from vineyards located at elevations up to 2,300 feet in the Santa Cruz Mountains, benefiting from a cool climate and limestone-rich soils.
• 🌞 The 1981 growing season featured a cool summer followed by a warm fall, resulting in an elegant and complex wine with a moderate alcohol content of 12.0%.
• 🏆 Ridge Vineyards, the producer of Monte Bello, gained international acclaim when their 1971 vintage placed fifth in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting that pitted California wines against French classics.
• 🪵 The 1981 Monte Bello was aged in a combination of new French oak and traditional air-dried American oak barrels, contributing to its unique flavor profile.

Palate profile

Producer

Ridge Vineyards, located in the United States, has a rich history dating back to 1885 when Dr. Osea Perrone, a prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community, purchased 180 acres on Monte Bello Ridge in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. He terraced the slopes, planted vineyards, and constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage under that name in 1892. In 1959, four scientists from the Stanford Research Institute—David Bennion, Hewitt Crane, Charles Rosen, and Howard Zeidler—acquired the property, re-bonded the winery in 1962, and began producing wines that emphasized single-vineyard expressions. Ridge Vineyards gained international acclaim when its 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon placed fifth in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting that pitted California wines against French classics. The winery is renowned for its commitment to sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention winemaking, producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of their vineyards.