(WA93-95 points) The 2011 Monte Bello (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc) emerges from the glass with tobacco, grilled herbs, smoke, incense and plums melding together in this soft, beautifully textured Monte Bello. The 2011 is a wine of exceptional textural finesse. The 100% new oak is totally integrated. In 2011, Ridge used a total of 18 of a possible 24 lots for the final blend. The presence of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon is the highest since the 1980s. I expect the 2011 to be a relatively early drinking Monte Bello, but time will be the judge. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2031. - Antonio Galloni

Lovely maturing nose of blackcurrant, black raspberry, mint and vanilla. At once rich, velvety and enticing, this is a delight now, due to the fine and moderately dry tannins that are wrapped in spice and savory notes at the long finish. A cuvee of 88% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. Tasted at the Thomas Kammeier Monte Bello vertical. Drink or hold.

Deep plum in colour, gentle whisper of pink on the edging. Majors on blackberry fruits, rose petal, raspberry leaf, crushed rocks and slate, push and pull between caressingly soft fruits and textured tannic frame, levitating above the palate. Love the savoury edge, showing how Ridge is not afraid of these more challenging vintages, turning instead to elegance and careful construction, more than rising to the occasion. A generous crop after a late harvest from October 19 to November 8. 99% American oak, 1% French oak. Paul Draper winemaker.

The 2011 Ridge Monte Bello is in a great spot where it is just starting to show lovely signs of aromatic development. Even so, the 2011 remains rich, deep and imposing, with tons of depth and plenty of mountain intensity. Black cherry, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice and cloves all open with a bit of coaxing. The tannins are a bit grainy, otherwise this is a very good Monte Bello in a very challenging year. -- Antonio Galloni

Ridge’s historic Monte Bello estate produces black tobacco, wet slate, chalk and blueberry jam aromas in this vintage. The wine, which gets support from 14% Merlot-3% Petite Verdot-1% Cabernet Franc, is not very dense and even racy on the palate, with violet, cola, tart cranberry and darker fruit as well.

This shows the cool aspect of the vintage, with more obvious maturity and a range of bay leaf, tobacco, singed sandalwood and perfume notes leading the way, while the core of fruit is mainly red in profile. The most drinkable of the young vintages currently, but there's no rush.—Non-blind Ridge Monte Bello vertical (June 2019). Drink now through 2035. 4,000 cases made. — JM