2016 Ridge, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains

The 2016 Monte Bello is stunning, bursting from the glass with aromas of crushed currants, plums, charcoal, sweet spices, black truffle and rich soil. On the palate, it's full-bodied, immensely deep and very concentrated, with an ample core of dark fruit that almost entirely conceals its rich chassis of tannin. The finish is long, tensile and chalky. Eric Baugher observes that 2016 was a drought year but that the vines were less stressed than in 2015, thanks to Spring precipitation, and it wasn't necessary to irrigate. Summer saw wild temperature swings, and though it was below average in summation, some days were very warm. The final Monte Bello blend contains 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc, which represents a slight change from when I tasted it a year ago, though its profile remains very much the same. The 2016 checks in at 13.8% alcohol and pH 3.49. Cellar it for a decade and follow it for another three. (William Kelley)

The 2016 Monte Bello is savory and delectable, showing early hints of evolution past its youthful primary phase. Fragrant but reserved at first, aromas of black tea, black truffle, turned earth and dried plums appear. Medium-bodied, succulent and sponge-like on the palate, the finish shows off vibrant, scrumptious acidity with slowly integrating but grippy tannins. Easing into a window of early consumption, this has another two decades of power in it, with further evolution beyond that likely. It contains 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc.

The 2016 Monte Bello, tasted from barrel and after its second blending, is shaping up to be another jewel of a wine. The flavor profile is on the darker side, and there is plenty of mid-palate sweetness, while the tannins are ripe and remarkably soft for such a young Monte Bello. It is clearly early days, but the 2016 appears to have a very bright future ahead of it.

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Monte Bello Vineyard is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged 17 months in American oak (35% new). It has a medium to deep ruby color with scents of blackcurrant, chocolate-covered cherries, cedar, cigar box, red fruit sparks, dried flowers and blackcurrant bud plus notions of graphite and iron. Medium to full-bodied, it offers wonderfully lush fruits and firmly integrated, classically rustic tannins, seamless freshness and a long, savory finish.