The Monte Bello is the wine that introduced Ridge to the world, and the world to Ridge. It is a blend of Bordeaux varietals in which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates. This year's estate red blend is 76% Cabernet, with the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It is a seamless, ... more

Made of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, this stunning Estate Cabernet comes from 100% estate vineyards at Montelena, and is their flagship wine. We tasted and loved the purity of fruit in this wine, as well as its sleekness, smooth tannins and multiple complexities. Black, purpley fruits on ... more

Since last year’s report I have had the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard on three separate occasions, including recently at the winery. It has definitely improved over last year’s report, but it has not lived up to my barrel tasting reviews. There is no explanation for this other than that ... more

Ark Vineyard 2005 is the first release from Jayson Woodbridge's home vineyard, which features nine separate blocks of vines and six clones, and which was picked in multiple passes and fermented in 500-liter puncheons. He made a scant 700 cases in his dedication to producing small lots. The 2005 is ... more

Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this powerful yet beautiful Cab comes from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, which is owned and managed by Andy Beckstoffer. The gravelly, loamy soils of the site give the wine Graves-like aromas, and yield about 4 tons per acre. Planted in 1998, the vineyard is ... more

The 2006 Les Pavots (a 2,730-case blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot) exhibits big notes of chocolate fudge intermixed with dark berry fruit, forest floor, underbrush, and some smoky oak. The wine is full-bodied, with remarkable intensity, low acidity, and a ... more

The non-malolactic barrel-fermented, green/gold-colored 2007 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch offers loads of tropical fruit, pear, and honeysuckle characteristics in its full-bodied personality. The oak component has been downplayed over recent vintages, and the wine is all the better for it, displaying gorgeously pure fruit. It should drink nicely for 2-4 ... more

Stephan Asseo, winemaker and owner of L'Aventure, has been making stunningly rich and decadent California reds for 10 years. Robert Parker raves about his efforts: 'Transplanted Frenchman, Stephan Asseo, originally from St.-Emilion, has found a home as well as some great terroirs in the limestone soils of Paso Robles (all ... more

Perhaps the finest Estate Red to date is the 2007. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by blackberry, cassis, cedar, and licorice characteristics, supple tannins, a more accessible personality, full body, and admirable purity, texture, and length. Drink this beauty over the next 2-3 decades., Bold, rich, graceful and full-bodied, ... more

De Villiers Pinot Noir 2007 is the debut release of a new bottling, from a 13.1 acre vineyard planted in 1997 on pure limestone soils up on Mount Harlan. Cropped at an unbelievably low .78 tons of fruit per acre, the wine spent 16 months in Francois Freres oak barrels ... more

This 2007 Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir has a wonderful, deep, sleek, juicy black plum bouquet which is beautifully integrated with the signature Mt Harlan minerality. It expresses very nice balance, excellent structure, good grip and a graceful mouthfeel combined with deep flavors of currant, raspberry and dark spice. It’s an ... more

In 1972, Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley vineyards produced the harvest that would become their first Cabernet Sauvignon. Seven years later, they harvested the grapes for their first Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which is now produced as a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals. This 2005 offering is made ... more