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1993 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
94 RP
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From the critics:
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Critic Reviews
Surprisingly bright cassis and mint aromas for almost 30 years of age, this mingles fresh and mature character, the lively acidity and stony minerality giving this sleek Californian red plenty of interest though the long, straight finish. A cuvee of 86% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 7% petit verdot. Tasted at the Thomas Kammeier Monte Bello vertical. Drink or hold.
James Suckling | 94 JS
The 1993 Monte Bello is a fine, fine vintage of this wine, and at eight years of age it is beginning to stir. The bouquet is deep and superb, as it offers up a complex mélange of cassis, chipotle peppers, a touch of tar, cigar ash, complex soil tones and a deft framing of new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and classy, with fine mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, excellent focus and outstanding grip on the very long, poised and youthful finish. A dynamite vintage, the 1993 Monte Bello is a very cool, old school 12.9 percent alcohol. (Drink between 2017 - 2045)
John Gilman | 94+ JG
The 1993 Ridge Monte Bello (already bottled) is a tightly-wrapped, densely-colored, pure, rich, full-bodied Cabernet with moderately intense aromas of vanilla, black-raspberries, currants, and minerals. This rich wine cuts a deep path on the palate, with high tannin, adequate acidity, and a long, muscular, formidably-endowed finish. Extremely unevolved and young, it needs 7-10 years of cellaring. When young, this wine rarely reveals its full potential. Having said that, the last three vintages of the Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon (1993, 1994, and 1995) are immensely impressive, with perhaps the 1994 the least expansive - for now.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RP
Good deep red-ruby. Plum, cassis, black cherry and woodsmoke complicated by notes of spice, fresh herbs and mint. Dense and full in the mouth, but with excellent vinosity. Subtly sweet flavors of cassis, plum and roast coffee. Quite primary and unforthcoming, but appears to be built for a long, slow evolution in bottle. Tannins are very fine and buffered by the wine’s mid-palate material. A strong showing for this wine.
Vinous Media | 92+ VM
Just what you hope for and usually get in a maturing Monte Bello. Layers of rich currant, anise, black cherry, lead pencil and pencil shavings, with touches of herb and sage. Smooth, elegant, deftly balanced, with lots of complex flavors that keep you coming back for more.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2008. 2,754 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 92 WS
James Suckling | 94 JS
The 1993 Monte Bello is a fine, fine vintage of this wine, and at eight years of age it is beginning to stir. The bouquet is deep and superb, as it offers up a complex mélange of cassis, chipotle peppers, a touch of tar, cigar ash, complex soil tones and a deft framing of new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and classy, with fine mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, excellent focus and outstanding grip on the very long, poised and youthful finish. A dynamite vintage, the 1993 Monte Bello is a very cool, old school 12.9 percent alcohol. (Drink between 2017 - 2045)
John Gilman | 94+ JG
The 1993 Ridge Monte Bello (already bottled) is a tightly-wrapped, densely-colored, pure, rich, full-bodied Cabernet with moderately intense aromas of vanilla, black-raspberries, currants, and minerals. This rich wine cuts a deep path on the palate, with high tannin, adequate acidity, and a long, muscular, formidably-endowed finish. Extremely unevolved and young, it needs 7-10 years of cellaring. When young, this wine rarely reveals its full potential. Having said that, the last three vintages of the Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon (1993, 1994, and 1995) are immensely impressive, with perhaps the 1994 the least expansive - for now.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RP
Good deep red-ruby. Plum, cassis, black cherry and woodsmoke complicated by notes of spice, fresh herbs and mint. Dense and full in the mouth, but with excellent vinosity. Subtly sweet flavors of cassis, plum and roast coffee. Quite primary and unforthcoming, but appears to be built for a long, slow evolution in bottle. Tannins are very fine and buffered by the wine’s mid-palate material. A strong showing for this wine.
Vinous Media | 92+ VM
Just what you hope for and usually get in a maturing Monte Bello. Layers of rich currant, anise, black cherry, lead pencil and pencil shavings, with touches of herb and sage. Smooth, elegant, deftly balanced, with lots of complex flavors that keep you coming back for more.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2008. 2,754 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 92 WS
Wine Details for 1993 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
| Type of Wine |
California Red
: Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring. |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Cabernet Sauvignon
: It is recognized worldwide, referred to as “king of grapes” and has easily become the most popular grape variety in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon has seemingly taken the world by storm. It has seen exponential growth and popularity in American and around the world over the past thirty years. The phrase “Cabernet is king,” is a common maxim in the world of wine. Cabernet Sauvignon wine has become so popular that when being referred to can be recognized by simple slang, such as “Cab” or “Cabernet. It might appear simple, straightforward and easily understood; yet, interestingly remains an enigma, which has both baffled and excited oenologists since its discovery. The exact origin and circumstances of this world-altering event are still enigmatic; however, at the end of the 20th century, UC Davis Scientists (John Bowers and Carole Meredith) were able to solve part of the mystery using DNA fingerprinting technology that proved Cabernet Sauvignon to be the offspring of a surprising spontaneous crossing of Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. By the 18th century there were already records of Cabernet Sauvignon being well-established on the west side of the Gironde Estuary (Left Bank) in the Medoc and Graves. Although tremendously popular in California and what seems to have become the identity of Napa Valley winemaking, Cabernet Sauvignon’s birth took place in the Bordeaux region of southwest France by fortuitous unification. Whereas Napa Valley experienced a winemaking renaissance during the 1970’s and 1980s (greatly due to the 1976 Judgement of Paris) quality wine from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape has been produced in the Medoc, on the Left Bank of Bordeaux for over 400 years. Cabernet Sauvignon’s first recorded plantings in California can be traced back to the 1850’s when Antoine Delmas, a French nurseryman, brought French vines (including one called ‘Cabrunet’) to the Santa Clara Valley. Early cultivation suffered due to obscurity of the varietal and improper planting in inhospitable soil. It wasn’t until pioneers such as Robert Mondavi, Randy Dunn and Warren Winiarski with their amazing foresight and understanding of terroir, would the grape variety finally find its niche in California winemaking. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in warm climates moderated by a cooling marine influence. It is perfectly attuned to gravel-based soils with good drainage. Whether on flat land or a hillside, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape flourishes in proper climates and terroir, producing incredible yields. The thick grapevine is extremely vigorous allowing it to exploit its natural host. Its distinctive small, black berries (reminiscent of blueberries) adhere firmly to the stalk and are capable of a very long “hang time.” These berries are extremely concentrated, producing intensely flavored fruit. The thick skins of the grape are characterized as having highly astringent flavor, high tannin, acidity and dark color. Coincidentally, the variety has a special affinity for oak, which helps soften the bitterness. Today, the Noble Bordeaux varietal of Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on 340,000 hectares (741,300 acres) of vineyards across the earth’s surface. From Sicily to Sonoma, Chile to Bordeaux, South Africa to Napa. It has found symbiosis in terroir hotspots that mimic that of the Medoc and Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon’s globetrotting has allowed the grape variety to take root all over the world, captivating its inhabitants and influencing winemaking. This serendipitous marriage between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc centuries ago, which offered to the world its progeny, has changed the landscape of winegrowing, winemaking and the face of the entire wine market forever. It has influenced blending, changed civilization and has cultivated a place for itself in today’s world… the very pinnacle. |
| Country |
US
: As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants. |
| Region |
California
: With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented. Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine. |
Overview
| Producer | Ridge |
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