Ridge Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

• Country USA
• Region Santa Cruz Mountains
• Vineyard Monte Bello
• Grape 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot
• Abv 13.8%
• Case size 12/ 75
• Inky purple hues with dark plum, black cherry, cedar, cola, and sweet toasted oak on the nose. A full-bodied entry with blackberry, cocoa powder, brown spices, and peppermint on the palate. Layered textures and focused tannins lead to a long finish.

• Decanter: 96 Points “True to the vineyard’s mountain site, up to 814m (2,670ft) in altitude, exposed to the cold Pacific, the wine has vivid cassis purity and a touch of green sage. 16 months in 58% new American oak may have rounded the edges of the wine, but none of that oak shows up in the wine’s flavor—exquisite structure and balance. Ridge’s Estate Cabernets come from old blocks in the Monte Bello Vineyard, but blocks that Paul Draper and John Olney feel tend to produce a wine that’s more accessible young than the blocks used for Ridge’s top wine, Monte Bello. Be that as it may, the Estate Cabernet blend comprised of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 1% Petite Verdot drinks like a sophisticated age-worthy wine.” -Karen MacNeil (November 2022)

  Wine Enthusiast: 95 Points + Cellar Selection “There’s a prominent mineral streak of graphite, wet clay, and lava rock on the nose of this bottling, which also includes 11% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Further investigation reveals aromas of blackberry, dried oregano, pepper, and dried meat, and the palate falls in line, as leathery tannins frame baked berry, cocoa dust, and roasted meat flavors. Drink now–2039.” -Matt Kettmann (June 2022)

  JebDunnuck.com: 94+ Points “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes from the estate Monte Bello Vineyard on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains and is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Hitting 13.8% alcohol, its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a brilliant perfume of blue fruits, scorched earth, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil. Beautifully balanced and medium to full-bodied, with building tannins, it’s a seamless Cabernet Sauvignon that has some up-front appeal given its balance and elegance yet will benefit from 2-5 years of bottle age and, I suspect, have 20+ years of overall longevity.” -Jeb Dunnuck (August 2022)

  OwenBargreen.com: 93 Points “Entirely sourced from the famed Monte Bello Vineyard, the 2019 Ridge ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding value from this vintage that saw near-ideal growing conditions. Graphite and wild blackberry compote mark the nose alongside shades of dark chocolate shavings and pipe tobacco. The palate is very fresh and refined with a soft mouthfeel and soft tannins. Ripe dark currants parade with espresso beans, and shades of chocolate cake on the palate. This is seriously good stuff to enjoy young but the 2019 ‘Estate’ has both the structure and stuffing to go for another fifteen-plus years. Drink 2022-2037” -Owen Bargreen (March 2022)