Organic
Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
 
95 Points Decanter
Classic mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a cool vintage in a very cool site, and at Monte Bello this harvest finished in the middle of November. It has all the timeless notes of California mountain herbals, bay leaf, eucalyptus and manzanita and purple sage. It’s intensely focused, and the tannins are prominent. But elegance is the watchword here. Woodland berries, and sumac with white pepper and a glimpse of lemon zest. Brilliant.
 
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck
From Monte Bello, with 19% Merlot and small additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, harvested in late October and November due to the coolness of the vintage, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate saw extended fermentations and is light-bodied and elegant, made from the most approachable lots of this famous site. Red fruit-dominant, it offers firm, expansive tannins, oak spice, and sharp acidity, dazzling in cranberry, clove, and cedar. This will benefit from further aging and sing for another 15-plus years. Enjoy best 2030-2038.
 
94 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate opens with a dark-fruited, slightly dusty and herbal bouquet framed by American oak notes that are already remarkably integrated. The mouthfeel is suave and tense, balancing tensile energy with ample textural breadth. The finish succinctly captures the vintage’s characteristics, giving equal weight to vibrant energy, tenacious yet refined tannins and Ridge’s classically structured style. This is an exceptional bottling, and while it is somewhat approachable now, a bit more time in the bottle to further integrate its élevage would be beneficial.
 
94 Points Wine Spectator
Offers inviting aromas and flavors of gently warm plum puree and cassis before a solid spine of mesquite, iron and savory starts to emerge. As that clamps down on the finish (for now), sanguine and cedar accents fill in liberally. Shows the textbook chiseled, angular feel of a young mountain Cab; this just needs cellar time. Best from 2028 through 2040.
 
94 Points Vinous
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a classically built Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet. Bright, fresh and lifted, it unfurls with layers of bay laurel, sage, tart blueberry and iodine, all presented in a vibrant, juicy, balanced framework that is at once both totally unfussy and completely confident. Well integrated and approachable today, the 2023 is a very fine expression of the Estate Cab. Drinking Window 2027 – 2038.
 
94 Points James Suckling
An elegant year for this medium-bodied wine that’s a junior to Ridge Monte Bello cabernet. So poised, flavorful, savory and well-balanced, with fine-grained tannins supporting black-olive, black-cherry, bay-leaf, cocoa and iron flavors. Moderate alcohol at 13.4%. Drink now or hold.
 
94 Points Owen Bargreen
All sourced from the famed ‘Monte Bello Vineyard’ this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon has 19% Merlot blended in with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Red bell pepper and fresh sage mark the nose alongside dark chocolate shavings, Arabica bean and creme de cassis. The palate is lush and tension-filled with terrific tension and verve with a smooth texture. The combination of weight, length and finesse is seriously good. Drink 2026-2040.