Ridge Vineyards: Come for the Monte Bello, and stay for their cool small lots

While Monte Bello, Geyserville, Lytton Springs, and others are headliners, one must never forget the less heralded ones—Valdiguié, Carignane, Grenache, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, and other sideline players

My forays to Ridge Vineyards began in the early 1970s as I developed our wine department at the family grocery store, Ashbury Market, I discovered many of our most exciting wines from the emerging “artisan” California wineries of “first wave” that included Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Caymus Vineyards, and Ridge. Though that was 40 years ago, that period of California winery growth remains as one of the most dynamic of all time.

On my most recent trip to the winery, I tasted eight wines, and all were filled to the brim with personality. Here is the rundown.

1. Grenache Blanc, Paso Robles, Adelaida Vineyard 2021: Racy, slightly savory, dried rosemary; good palate presence and compelling rocks-in the desert finish. 92 Points $36.

2. Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Pagani Ranch 2020: packed, powerful, satisfying; ripe berries and licorice flavors. 93 Points $42.

3. Red Wine, Lytton Springs, Sonoma Valley 2020: Evocative aromas of boysenberries and savory spices; loads of berries and a hint of wood in the flavors, tantalizing finish. 94 Points $50.

4. Petite Sirah, Lytton Estate, Dry Creek Valley 2019: Grapey, rich, active aromas; chewy and packed on the palate; intense flavors of berries and red fruits. 93 Points $45.

5. Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2012: Made with 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot; Incredible; formidable, firm; black fruit, oaky, coconut notes; lasting berries, dried leaves in the flavors. A keeper! 98 Points $175.

6. Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2019: Generous berries, complementary oak; well balanced; intense; plenty to like here; lasting finish. 96 Points $245.

7. Chardonnay, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2019: Lovely and enticing; savory spices, active, compelling; long, bright fruit flavors, spicy, lasting, oak in the background. 94 Points $85.

8. Demonstene Ranch Red Wine, Sonoma Valley 2019: ripe and lasting berries, savory, bright, persistent; active finish. 92 Points $37.

I recommend you visit Ridge Vineyards. While the winery produces some of the most iconic wines in the world, they also produce small lots of intriguing wines.

Picking at the upper vineyard on Montebello

www.ridgewine.com

Grape Sorting on the Conveyor Belt at the Upper Winery

---