The 2019 Ridge Monte Bello is a distinguished red wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, known for its complexity and aging potential. This proprietary blend primarily consists of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 9% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, with an alcohol content of 13.7%. The wine is aged in new American oak, adding to its depth and structure.

James Suckling rates this vintage highly, awarding it an impressive 99 points, highlighting its "incredible darkness and saltiness like volcanic salt" and calling it "flavorful and captivating," with an aging potential that could last indefinitely. Vinous's Antonio Golioni also praises the 2019 Monte Bello with a score of 98, describing it as "a wild, exotic wine" with "huge, soaring aromatics" and "exotically ripe fruit," noting its eventual need for time in the bottle to fully develop.

Wine Enthusiast's Matt Kettmann gives it a 96, noting its "rich and smoky" nose, polished tannins, and lingering flavors of roasted berry and toasted coffee. Jane Anson, also scoring it 96, describes it as a "physical experience" with tannins that guide its fruit profile, enhanced by organic farming and native yeast fermentation.

Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Spectator both award 95 points, with Dunnuck commenting on its "terrific overall balance" and "outstanding length," while Wine Spectator appreciates the wine's "densely packed core" and notes its potential to unwind beautifully over time.

Decanter gives it a slightly lower score of 94 but acknowledges its "great purity of fruit" and "lively, peppery tone." Meanwhile, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awards a strong 97 points, highlighting its "poised, graceful nose" and "elegant, high-toned iteration."

Overall, the 2019 Ridge Monte Bello is highly regarded, with excellent reviews praising its complexity, structure, and potential for long-term aging.