Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2021

Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2021

 

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Ridge Vineyards
Estate Chardonnay 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : USA
  • Region : California
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay showcases the winery's commitment to producing refined and complex Chardonnay from the renowned Monte Bello Estate.

Experts Score Vintage
WS Wine Spectator 94 2021
RP Robert Parker 92 2021
JD Jeb Dunnuck 94 2020
JS James Suckling 93 2020
W&S Wines & Spirits 94 2019
WE Wine Enthusiast 92 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92 2019
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards is located on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a distinct appellation separating the North Coast from the Central Coast. This region benefits from a unique microclimate, characterized by cool temperatures and fractured limestone soils, which are ideal for producing high-quality Chardonnay. The vineyards are situated at elevations ranging from 426 to 610 meters, overlooking San Francisco.

The Monte Bello Ridge is known for its fractured limestone soils overlaid with decomposing Franciscan green stone mixed with clay and loam. These soils contribute to the distinctive minerality and complexity of the wine. The vines, spanning 7.9 hectares and planted between 1982 and 1998, are head-trained and cane-pruned, utilizing a vertical trellis and vertical shoot positioning system. With yields of just over 1.1 tonne per hectare, the focus is on quality over quantity.

Winemaking

Estate Chardonnay is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The grapes are hand-harvested from the Monte Bello vineyard and undergo whole-cluster pressing. Fermentation is carried out in barrels, with both primary and secondary (malolactic) fermentations occurring naturally. The wine is aged for fifteen months in a combination of 60% air-dried American oak and 40% French oak, with 24% new barrels, 5% one-year-old, and 71% two- to three-year-old barrels.

The winemaking process emphasizes minimal intervention, with the wine being fermented on native yeasts and undergoing full malolactic fermentation on naturally occurring bacteria. The oak influence from barrel aging and minimal effective sulfur use (35 mg/L at crush, 82.7 mg/L over aging) contribute to the wine's complexity and depth. The wine is pad filtered at bottling to ensure clarity.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: pale golden hue with a bright clarity.
  • Aroma: On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe apple, pear, and a hint of citrus zest, intertwined with subtle oak and mineral undertones.
  • Palate: The palate is elegant and complex, with flavors of green apple, lemon curd, and white peach complemented by toasty oak and a creamy texture from the lees aging. The acidity is vibrant, providing a refreshing balance to the rich, full-bodied profile. The finish is long and mineral-driven, showcasing the wine's exceptional terroir.

Did you know?

Ridge Vineyards first produced Chardonnay in 1962 from vines planted in the late 1940s on the Monte Bello estate. Although production was initially limited, several great vintages highlighted the potential of this cool-climate site. The Ridge Estate Chardonnay designation began in 2009 to distinguish this specific terroir-driven wine from other regional offerings.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Seafood Risotto: The creamy texture and bright acidity of the Chardonnay complement the richness of a seafood risotto, enhancing the flavors of shrimp, scallops, and mussels.
  • Roast Chicken: A classic pairing, the wine's oak and citrus notes elevate the savory and herbaceous flavors of a roasted chicken with thyme and lemon.
  • Grilled Salmon: The wine's acidity and minerality balance the richness of grilled salmon, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
  • Aged Gouda: The creamy texture and subtle oak nuances pair beautifully with the nutty, caramel notes of aged Gouda cheese.

History of Ridge Vineyards

Paul Draper
Paul Draper

The history of Ridge Vineyards begins in 1885 when Osea Perrone, a doctor and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community, purchased 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. He terraced the slopes and planted vineyards, constructing the Monte Bello Winery using native limestone and producing the first vintage under that name in 1892.

In the 1940s, theologian William Short bought the abandoned winery and vineyard, replanting several parcels to Cabernet Sauvignon. In the early 1960s, new owners Dave Bennion and his three partners, all Stanford Research Institute engineers, made a quarter-barrel of estate Cabernet from these vines. The quality and distinctive character of the wines produced convinced them to re-bond the winery in time for the 1962 vintage.

The first Zinfandel was made in 1964 from a small nineteenth-century vineyard farther down the ridge, followed in 1966 by the first Geyserville Zinfandel. The founding families expanded the Monte Bello terraces and increased vineyard size, working weekends to make wines of regional character and unprecedented intensity. In 1969, Paul Draper joined the partnership, bringing his practical winemaking skills and traditional knowledge to Ridge. Under his guidance, the winery's quality and international reputation were firmly established​​.

Region and Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards encompasses several notable vineyard sites, each contributing uniquely to the winery's portfolio:

  • Monte Bello Vineyard: Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this historic vineyard includes vines replanted in the 1940s and is known for its complex and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons. The Monte Bello estate is situated at an altitude of approximately 800 meters, where the cool climate and rocky limestone soils create ideal conditions for producing wines with exceptional structure and longevity. The vineyard’s steep slopes and diverse microclimates allow for meticulous site selection and blending, resulting in wines that reflect the nuanced character of the region.

    Monte Bello Vineyard
    Monte Bello Vineyard
  • Geyserville Vineyard: Situated in Alexander Valley, this site has produced wines since 1966, celebrated for their distinctive blend of Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah. The Geyserville vineyard benefits from a warm climate and gravelly loam soils, which contribute to the robust fruit flavors and structured tannins of the wines. The old vines, some over 130 years old, are head-trained and dry-farmed, practices that promote deep root systems and concentrated fruit.

  • Lytton Springs Vineyard: Acquired in 1991, this vineyard in Sonoma County produces exceptional Zinfandel-based wines from old vines dating back to 1902. Located in the Dry Creek Valley, the Lytton Springs vineyard features gravelly clay loam soils and a climate that balances warm days with cool nights, enhancing the aromatic complexity and balance of the wines. The vineyard is managed with sustainable practices, including organic farming and the use of cover crops to maintain soil health and biodiversity.

    Lytton Springs Vineyard
    Lytton Springs Vineyard

Organic and Sustainable Farming

Ridge Vineyards is deeply committed to organic and sustainable farming practices, ensuring that their vineyards not only produce high-quality grapes but also promote environmental health. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, with a strong commitment to organic certification. Ridge uses cover crops, integrated pest management, mechanical weed removal, and composted grape pomace instead of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers.

These practices help maintain soil health, promote biodiversity, and reduce the winery's environmental footprint. Ridge Vineyards was one of the first wineries in California to pursue organic certification, reflecting its leadership in sustainable viticulture. The winery also engages in minimal intervention winemaking, preserving the natural characteristics of the grapes and their terroir​​.

Wine Range

Ridge Vineyards produces a range of wines that reflect their commitment to terroir and traditional winemaking methods:

  • Ridge Monte Bello: Their flagship wine, a Bordeaux-style blend known for its complexity and aging potential.
  • Ridge Geyserville: A field blend predominantly featuring Zinfandel, offering rich fruit flavors and structured tannins.
  • Ridge Lytton Springs: Another Zinfandel-based blend that highlights the unique characteristics of the vineyard's old vines.
  • Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Produced from Monte Bello's more approachable parcels, showcasing the vineyard's character in a style that matures earlier than Monte Bello.
  • Ridge Chardonnay: Produced in limited quantities, reflecting the winery's capability to craft white wines with finesse and depth.

Did you know?

Ridge Vineyards employs what they call "pre-industrial" winemaking techniques, a term they prefer over "natural winemaking." This approach involves minimal intervention, fermenting with native yeasts, avoiding commercial enzymes, and allowing malolactic fermentation to occur naturally. This method preserves the unique character of each vineyard, producing wines that are true expressions of their terroir​​.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 94 Points (2021)
Rich and toasty up front, with grilled orange, toasted cumin, nectarine and honeycomb notes, plus dried ginger and cardamom. Shows a touch of salted toffee to complement peach preserves, dried pineapple and Honeycrisp apple. Juicy finish. Drink now.

Robert Parker (RP) : 92 Points (2021)
The 2021 Chardonnay Estate Monte Bello Vineyard was aged in 60% American and 40% French oak for 15 months. The nose is spry and lively, with matchstick, lemon curd and white flower aromas. The palate combines a polished richness with refreshing zest, concluding with a clean finish and decent length. This is a floral and vibrant introductory expression of the Monte Bello site.

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 94 Points (2020)
Coming from the estate vineyard on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the 2020 Chardonnay Estate has a beautiful nose of honeyed lemon blossom, crushed stone, toasty oak, and a touch of reductive-like minerality. This carries to a brilliantly balanced, medium-bodied Chardonnay with a round, layered mouthfeel, good acidity, and a focused style that should age gracefully for 7-8 years, if not longer (JD). (8/2022)

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2020)
A very creamy textured white with sliced cooked apple, crushed stones and chalk. Some burnt lime, too. It's medium- to full-bodied with a delicious finish. (9/2022)

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 94 Points (2019)
Mostly from vines planted in the 1970s at parcels since incorporated into the Monte Bello Estate, this wine ferments spontaneously in oak barrels (mostly American, ranging from one to five years old). This vintage is a selection of ten out of 12 parcels, grown over greenstone (altered basalt) and decomposing limestone at the former Rouston and Klein vineyards, lower-elevation sites at the estate. It’s a pale chardonnay with lemon and ginger scents, the tight, brisk structure nodding to the Pacific, not only for the climate but also for the uplifted seabed soils above the San Andreas fault. Within that structure, the wine feels lush and juicy, cool and savory, delicious with scallop and porcini risotto. (JG) (10/2021)

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 92 Points (2019)
There's a flinty tone of struck stone and chiseled granite on the nose of this bottling, which also shows a singed lemon fragrance on the nose. There's a woody quality to the sip, giving some depth to the seared lime-peel, macadamia-nut and sprinkled sea-salt flavors. (MK) (9/2021)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 92 Points (2019)
The 2019 Chardonnay Estate is super-elegant and precise. Scents of tangerine oil, mint, apricot and chamomile all grace this lithe, wonderfully expressive Chardonnay. Bright acids and a very slight touch of reduction frame the close. The Estate is made for near and medium-term drinking. (AG) (3/2022)

Ridge Vineyards Geyserville 2021
Ridge Vineyards Geyserville 2021
Ridge Vineyards
Geyserville 2021
WS
93
WE
94
W&S
95
Ridge Vineyards Geyserville stands out with its rich fruit profile and elegant structure, a testament to over five decades of winemaking excellence.
75,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2022
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2022
Ridge Vineyards
Lytton Springs 2022
WS
95
RP
94
WE
96
A timeless expression of Dry Creek Valley, this Zinfandel-based blend delivers intense dark fruit, structured tannins, and refreshing acidity, ensuring both power and elegance.
77,40 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2021
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2021
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello 2021
WS
95
RP
96
JR
93
A benchmark of California Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Monte Bello displays an intricate balance of rich concentration, elegance, and minerality, ensuring exceptional aging potential for the next 20 to 25 years.
315,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ridge Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Ridge Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Ridge Vineyards
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
WS
92
RP
92
JR
90
A distinguished mountain Cabernet from the famed Monte Bello estate, Ridge’s 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon captures depth, elegance, and the pure voice of Santa Cruz Mountains terroir.
124,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
93,00 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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