Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1971

Description

Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1971

Our Cabernet grapes reached their balance in 1971 at slightly lower sugar than usual and produced a wine with more elegance and finesse than we have yet seen. The wine was fermented dry on the skins and from completion of its malolactic in November, was aged in small cooperage until bottled. Softer than 1970, but with the same fine cabernet character, 1971 will need at least six years in bottle to approach its plateau of maturity.

Critical Acclaim

97 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

 A jaw-dropping nose, brilliant definition, and notes of blackberry, cedar, cigar box, mint and licorice. Stunning. The palate is very well balanced, very natural, refined, not as showy or extrovert as the ’74, and much more Bordeaux-like in character. Black cherry, redcurrant, mint, a touch of hoi sin. With such tension and vibrancy, this is a sublime, essential Monte Bello that is still going strong at 38 years of age. Utterly, utterly sublime. 

95 Vinous

The 1971 Monte Bello is blessed with simply a jaw-dropping nose that has brilliant definition, and notes of blackberry, cedar, cigar box, mint and licorice. The palate is extremely well-balanced, very natural and refined. It is not as showy or as extrovert as in 1974. This is much more Bordeaux-like in character, with notes of black cherries, redcurrant, mint and a splash of hoisin. Such tension and vibrancy! This is a sublime Monte Bello that is still going strong. 

92 Jeb Dunnuck

Another gem is the 1971 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello, and it’s darker and earthier in style with ripe tobacco, damp earth, chocolate, and forest floor aromas and flavors. Deep, black-fruited, earthy, and powerful, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, has beautiful fruit, and a great finish. It’s another terrific wine that’s fully mature and drinking at the point yet has the class to continue evolving gracefully.