FFW 2021 Wine Catalogue

NEW WORLD CALIFORNIA

MEET THE GROWER Ridge Vineyards

Ridge, and specifically Monte Bello, is a true icon of world FineWine. At around £30 per bottle, both the Geyserville and Lytton Springs offer extremely good bang for buck with all the pedigree of this wonderful estate. In the words of WilliamKelley, Ridge has always been deliberately in themodel of “pre-industrial” Bordeaux. He went on to say it is “an American first growth …This is a wine that’s invariably structured around firm, chalky tannins and balanced by bright acids. …That means it starts out life quite tight-knit and taut, but it’s beautifully vibrant and delineated at maturity. Andmaturity takes time: classic vintages are dependably better at age 20 than at age ten.” Lytton Springs is more Bordeaux-like, while Geyserville can havemore Pinot like characteristics, yet both are delicious.

MONTE BELLO RIDGE VINEYARDS 2018 DRINK2022-2038

6x75 £882

The 2018Monte Bello is supremely elegant and sublime. I can’t remember a youngMonte Bello with this much pure finesse. Perfumed floral and spice notes and silky tannins give the 2018 a feel of total refinement. Today, the 2018 comes across as medium in body, and a wine that will age on its superb balance, rather than size or structure. I can’t wait to taste it in a bit more finished form.

VINOUS 93-96

—ANTONIOGALLONI

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