Caractéristiques
- Pays:
- USA
- Appellation précise:
- Santa Cruz Mountains
- Millésime:
- 2018
- Couleur:
- Rouge
- Type de vin:
- Sec
- Format:
- Bouteille de 75cl
- Type de culture:
- Biologique
- Cépage(s):
- 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
- Terroir:
- Sols composés d'argile, de cailloux et graviers
- Âge des vignes:
- Jusqu'à 69 ans
- Vendanges:
- Manuelles
- Vinification:
- Égrappage, pressurage au bout de 8 jours, fermentation alcoolique avec levures indigènes suivi de la malolactique complète
- Elevage:
- En fûts de chêne américain à 58% neufs et le reste de 1 et 2 ans
- Degré:
- 13,7%
Dégustation et Garde
- Boire à partir de :
- 2024
- Apogée :
- 2026-2044
- Boire avant :
- 2048+
- Conseil de service :
- Ouvrir à l'avance
- Servir à :
- 17°
Description
La cuvée "Monte Bello” 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon est un assemblage typé Médoc construit autour de 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, et 2% de Cabernet Franc. Égrappée mais non foulée, la vendange est encuvée en baies entières et fermentée en levures indigènes. S’ensuit un élevage en fût neuf américain pendant 23 mois.
La robe sombre, presque impénétrable révèle un nez très expressif autour de notes complexes : cassis, fenouil, cola, clou de girofle, nougat, thé noir et minéral intense. La bouche est riche diffusant de belles saveurs de cassis dans une tannicité à la fois fine et veloutée. La finale minérale crayeuse est interminable.
Suggestion gourmande
Ribs de porc aux sarments et purée de patate douce.
Avis des Experts
James Suckling
"A bright and beautiful Monte Bello with dark and black fruit, such as blackcurrants, as well as walnuts and hints of vanilla. Full-bodied with creamy tannins that are there from start to finish. Turns lightly dusty. Beautiful length. Really pure and focused. Needs time to come together completely, but already a beauty. Drink after 2025."
The Wine Advocate
"I tasted the 2018 Monte Bello as a finished barrel sample during the annual Ridge Monte Bello Tasting Final Assemblage event; the blend was 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 11% Petite Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and youthfully primary nose with boysenberry, blueberry jam, blackcurrant, dark chocolate-covered cherries, cigar box, graphite, loamy earth and oodles of floral character. The palate is medium to full-bodied and packed full of flavor layers, knit by very fine, ripe, pixelated tannins and great freshness and finishing very long."
Wine Spectator
"Very expressive, with warmed blueberry compote, menthol, sweet bay, steeped açaí and zesty sassafras notes all in the mix, carried by brambly grip and a cold cast iron spine. Late echo of mesquite completes this remarkably complex and vivid offering. Should be fun to watch this develop in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2042."
Vinous
"The 2018 Monte Bello is a wine of extraordinary finesse. Although it doesn’t have the body or overt richness of some recent vintages, it more than makes up for that with its total sense of harmony. Lavender, mocha, spice, licorice and dried flowers all develop in a sublime, refined Monte Bello that will thrill Ridge lovers. This is an especially elegant, lithe vintage for Monte Bello that is marked by a dry year with no heat spikes and a very long harvest that wrapped up in late October."
Ridge pousse sa grande cuvée Monte Bello 2018 à des sommets de raffinement !