2022 Ridge, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains

Incorporating 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate balances a lovely combination of lush dark fruits and charred, roasted accents, followed by a plush, fluid texture with a succulent core. It concludes with a lifted, pretty finish filled with a compact core of ripe fruits.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot. Fully destemmed and fermented with whole berries and ambient yeasts. Calcium carbonate added to the ferment. Aged for 17 months in 100% air-dried American oak barrels (52% new, 20% one year old and 28% two years old): 56% Appalachian, 27% Missouri, 17% Virginia. Very dark garnet. Smells of black cherries, whisky barrel, blackberries and dried herbs. Electric acidity makes the mouth water as flavours of black cherry, blackberries and sweet American oak swirl on the palate. Intense in flavour but without any weight. This is a wine that will improve as the oak becomes more integrated. For now, there's a very strong oak signature in the finish. Give this three to five years and watch out. Pretty damn tasty already. (AY)

86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot. Sinewy, savoury and refined. A bit leaner and more sage-dominated than a Monte Bello would be but still a fine wine. (JR)