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

Ridge Monte Bello 2022 is a red wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains in California, made from organically grown fruit. The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, all from the estate's Monte Bello vineyard, where the first plantings date from 1886. The grapes were fermented as whole berries on native yeasts, then aged for twenty-one months in new oak, 95% American and 5% French. The alcohol is 13.8%. It is a saturated ruby colour, with blackberry, black currant, fennel, tobacco leaf, crushed stone and toasted oak on the nose. The palate is full bodied, with bramble and cassis, polished tannins and firm acidity, leading to a long finish with limestone minerality.