Ridge Monte Bello 2008 Tasting with Eric Baugher - April 2009 - 28.04.09
Ed Wells and Dean Harper met with Ridge Vineyards winemaker Eric Baugher in April 2007 to taste the new vintage release of the famed Monte Bello Red from Ridge Vineyards in California. Aside from the 2008 (barrel sample) a selection of previous vintages were also on show. These includes Monte Bello samples from 2005, 2004, 2003 and 1998.
It is worth noting at this point that there is already a great deal of excitement being generated by and around the 2008 vintage. When the vintage was first tasted from barrel in December last year the exceptional quality of the vintage was clear. Eric reported that "the exceptional quality of the vintage was clear. The finesse of each barrel and each variety allowed us to hold the first assemblage tasting two weeks earlier than usual. In late sixteen classic Monte Bello lots were chosen as the core; we then tasted five more lots, both in and out of the blend. As each was added, depth and complexity increased."
At this early stage Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 81% and Merlot 19%. The team expect to taste the Petit Verdot component during their second assemblage meeting in May. Their Cabernet Franc harvest was tiny so that has been pre-blended into a tank of Cab Sauv. At these stage this pre-assemblage blend is reported as "elegant, firmly acidic, but not complex enough to include at this time." They will give it a few months and taste again in May.
HarperWells Notes
Monte Bello 2008 barrel sample Blend still at 81% Cab and 19% Merlot. There is still 12 months in barrel yet. Wonderful nose of dark red fruit, chocolate, licorice. The flavours are full, rounded, exotic fruit and very ripe. The tannins are full, rounded and integrated. Very long for a young wine. Impressive start. Will be fabulous. DH9/10
Monte Bello 2005 Tremendous. Light fruity nose - fresh, clean, good red fruit and superb balance. Great Acidity and super-long finish. 1st class example of Monte Bello. Blend is 72% Cab/22% Merlot/6% Petit Verdot. DH9/10
Monte Bello 2004 Nose of super red fruit. Spot-on integration. Not as long or generous as the 2005, a little firmer on the finish so somewhat European in that respect. A structure more focussed towards food. Blend is Cab 76%/Merlot 13%/PV 8%/Cab Franc 3% DH 8/10
Monte Bello 2003 Nicely lifted and fresh aromas. A suggestion of spice and pepper. Very full on palate, with extra spice to balance great fruit. This is a juicy, very full and ripe MB. Blend is 85% Cab/8% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. Very good indeed. DH8+/10
Monte Bello 1998 A shorter lived vintage (for Monte Bello) - more for drinking within 15 years of harvest. The nose is much less pronounced than other vintages - but make no mistake the wine is still fresh and quite bright. It is medium weight and spicey. 98 is not really a great example of aged MB as it was a very tricky year, a year in which MB was almost not made at all. DH7/10
Eric Baugher has taken over more of the PR duties from the late Don Reisen. Very down to earth and approachable. Although young Eric is well through his 2nd decade at Ridge. Eric's title is Director of Winemaking at Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello Winery. Eric heads the winemaking team at Ridge with Paul Draper and is involved in all winemaking decisions. Eric grew up on a small ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where he raised animals, planted gardens and orchards, and rode horses. He attended UC Santa Cruz, receiving undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In 1994 he joined Ridge, and in his first year he organized the laboratory and developed new sophisticated analytical tests to support Ridge's traditional winemaking practices. In 1995, he took on production management and now oversees all day-to-day winemaking activities. His passion for wine and the stimulating juxtaposition of low-tech winemaking and high-tech analytic techniques keeps him totally involved and constantly inspired.