Ridge Estate Merlot 2011
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Wine Enthusiast
This Merlot is not afraid to show its rough side, with aromas of tobacco smoke, cigar box, thick blackberry, ripe blueberry, black cherry and dust. The mouth-coating tannins are strong on the plush, grippy palate, as are flavors of burnt orange, plum and dark chocolate. Let it chill out for a few years; drink 2017 onward.
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Wine & Spirits
Ridge’s high-elevation vineyards grew a soft, appetizing merlot in 2011, subtly floral in its aromas, plump and plum-fruited in the middle, mountain tannins tightening at the end. Built to drink in the next few years with flank steak.
Other Vintages
2014-
Dunnuck
Jeb
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Ridge's history begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He planted vineyards and constructed a winery of redwood and native limestone in time to produce the first vintage of Monte Bello in 1892. The historic building now serves as the Ridge production facility.
Though Ridge began as a Cabernet winery, by the mid-60s, it had produced several Zinfandels including the Geyserville. In 1972, Lytton Springs joined the line-up and the two came to represent an important part of Ridge production. Known primarily for its red wines, Ridge has also made limited amounts of Chardonnay since 1962.
The Ridge approach is straightforward: find the most intense and flavorful grapes, guide the natural process, draw all the fruit's richness into the wine. Decisions on when to pick, when to press, when to rack, what varietals and what parcels to include and when to bottle, are based on taste. To retain the nuances that increase complexity, Ridge winemakers handle the grapes and wine as gently as possible. There are no recipes, only attention and sensitivity.