Name: Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains 2023 750ml
Brand: Ridge
SKU: 1029222
Price: 50.76 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 92.7 (7 reviews)

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Winery Ridge

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Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon

By far and away the most recognized and widely grown red wine grape varietal in the world is the Cabernet Sauvignon. First cultivated in the 18th century in France, this wonderful cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes has long since been the most important varietal for red wines across the globe. Now grown everywhere from its native France to the furthest reaches of the New World, Cabernet Sauvignon is adored and prized by wineries for its hardiness and resistance to rot, as well as its large and sharp flavors and wonderful capability for fine aging Indeed, many of the finest wines of history and the modern age would be simply unimaginable without Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, with the famed wineries of Bordeaux and other important regions using it as the primary grape in their oak aged produce. High tannin levels, acidity and powerful flavors are the characteristics most commonly associated with this varietal, however, when blended and slowly aged, it is capable of a world of flavors and aromas unmatched by any other grape.

Country United States

Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.

Region California

California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.

Appellation Santa Cruz County

DC 94pts

Decanter

Ridge made a Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet from 1978 through the late 1980s, before changing the naming to ‘Estate.’ With the 2023 vintage, Ridge had the opportunity to purchase fruit from along Montebello Road, as well as other sites throughout the Santa Cruz AVA. Made just like all the Ridge wines. The well-known Monte Bello structure leaps out at you, taut and lean, salty, but backed by ample cherry fruit and a touch of oak spice. This wine has concentrated and dark fruit, bright and spicy, a mountain Cabernet through and through. There’s an approachability here, and that is the role of this Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet in the library of ageable Ridge wines. Elegance married to approachability.

VM 93pts

Vinous Media

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a blend of fruit from the Monte Bello estate and a few neighboring vineyards (Bates, Vidovich and Fellom) aged for 16 months in 100% American oak. Taut and structured, the 2023 opens with dark fruit, cracked pepper, smoked meat, tobacco leaf and cedar, all enshrouded in firm, chalky tannins that lead to a long, savory finish. This is a very fine access point to the Ridge house style at a more approachable price. As a note, this cuvée has existed in various iterations in the past, and was the original designation for what eventually became Ridge's Estate Cabernet.

WE 93pts

Wine Enthusiast

This bottling, which includes 15% Merlot and 4% Petite Verdot, marks the return of an appellation blend to the Ridge lineup. Aromas of black plum, clove and ajwain draw in the nose, while the palate picks up licorice and more black plum alongside a firm structure. (Cellar Seletion)

Winery Notes

Rated 93 - The 2023 ‘Santa Cruz Mountains’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 15% Merlot blended in. It is refined and elegant on the tongue, as the toasty oak caresses a gorgeous core of dark currants, black cherry compote and espresso bean notes alongside gravelly soils. Very fresh and vibrant, with terrific acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035. - Owen Bargreen

WA 92pts

Wine Advocate

Including contracted fruit from Bates Ranch, Fellom Ranch and Vidovich, along with additions from Monte Bello, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon marks the first return of this cuvée since 2007. A lush nose of sweet black fruits, pine needles, sage and a gourmand touch of vanilla pod introduces a soft, velvety and pliable palate, ending with a pure, mouthwatering finish framed by a subtle touch of woody tannins. Overall, it’s a solid, accessible and over-performing example of Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, which includes 15% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.

WS 92pts

Wine Spectator

This sports a lively singed mesquite and savory aspect out front, with juicy and youthfully compact notes of red currant, bitter cherry and plum coulis held in check for now. Shows nicely chiseled tannins through the finish. A modicum of patience is needed. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2038. 3,000 cases made.

JD 92pts

Jeb Dunnuck

From purchased grapes off of Bates Ranch, Fellom Ranch, Vidovich, as well as some estate Monte Bello, the light-bodied 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is differentiated from the estate, spiced in red and black currant, sage, cedar, and tangy, high-toned acidity. With 15% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it shows the coolness of the vintage in supple tannins, generous texture, and balanced intensity. Approachable and drinking well now, it should continue to age well over the next 8-12 years.