Ridge Monte Bello 2022 Santa Cruz Mountains (75cl, 13.8%)

This is the 2022 Monte Bello from Ridge Vineyards, a red wine from the high-elevation Santa Cruz Mountains estate in California. It is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Ridge has made Monte Bello from this estate since 1962. The 2022 follows a third consecutive drought year, which gave small berries, firm tannins and very low yields. All the grapes were fermented as whole berries, and pump-overs were halved compared with a typical vintage. Eighteen of 21 sets were chosen by blind tasting before the final blend. The wine then spent 21 months in 100% American oak.