Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello 2014
Product Information
Country USA
Region California
Grape Variety 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Vintage 2014
ABV 13.5%
Experience the pinnacle of sophisticated winemaking with the Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2014 vintage, an exquisite Napa Valley estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon renowned for its rare balance, intensity, and ageing potential. This meticulously crafted Bordeaux-style blend is the epitome of luxury wine craftsmanship, showcasing the unique terroir of Monte Bello’s sustainably farmed vineyard.
Vintage Overview
The 2014 vintage was shaped by a challenging climate, with a scarcity of winter rainfall impacting both vines and cover crops, resulting in limited nutrient availability. Despite these conditions, the vineyard yielded a remarkable crop that ripened perfectly in September. The winemaking process was marked by slow, deliberate fermentations and careful tasting to optimize extraction. Native yeast fermentations and natural malolactic conversions impart a refined elegance. This vintage highlights a triumphant Merlot, resilient after previous challenges, while Petit Verdot offers subtle complexity. The result is a wine of intense fruit expression, layered limestone earth nuances, and vibrant, firm acidity. Designed for connoisseurs, it promises exceptional enjoyment for the next 15 to 30 years.
Artisanal Winemaking Process
• Harvest Dates: September 2 – 24, 2014
• Grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed, and rigorously sorted both mechanically and by hand to ensure premium quality.
• Fermentation took place using native yeasts with 100% whole berries, pressed after ten days.
• A full natural malolactic fermentation enhanced the wine’s complexity and smoothness.
• Barrel ageing spanned 17 months exclusively in 100% new air-dried oak, 97% American, 2% French, and 1% Hungarian, imparting a rich, nuanced character.
• Sustainability is integral, with minimal intervention techniques, precise acidity management, and responsible sulphur usage to preserve purity and expression.
Tasting Notes
Awarded 98 points by James Suckling, this Monte Bello 2014 captivates with complex aromas of blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate, and toasted walnut. On the palate, it reveals a full-bodied, powerful structure with muscular tannins and remarkable depth. A wine of precision and focus, it demands patience, best enjoyed after 6 to 8 years of cellaring to fully harmonize its layered flavours.
Discover Iconic California Wines from Ridge Vineyards
Renowned for producing some of the most distinctive and age-worthy wines in California, Ridge Vineyards has earned global recognition among collectors and connoisseurs of premium American wine. From the legendary Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon to celebrated Zinfandel blends like Geyserville and Lytton Springs, Ridge crafts wines that reflect their vineyard origins with purity and precision.
Each bottle begins with meticulously farmed, mature vineyards and is crafted through a philosophy of minimal intervention winemaking. Ridge remains committed to full transparency, listing all ingredients on every label, and uses blind tastings to guide every production decision. This thoughtful, consistent approach has helped Ridge transcend wine trends and establish itself as one of the most respected wineries in California.
Whether you’re searching for collectible California Cabernet, single-vineyard Zinfandel, or minimal intervention wines from California, Ridge delivers quality that’s timeless.
