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The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA holds a special distinction: It is home to the only two estate-bottled mountain-grown Cabernets that are truly influenced by the Pacific Ocean. Both have been at it awhile. The first is Ridge Monte Bello (1962), the second is Mount Eden Estate. In 1945, legendary vintner Martin Ray began to develop Mount Eden’s estate vineyard on a rugged mountaintop in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Today, the site consists of 40 acres of low-yielding vines. Planted in infertile Franciscan shale, the vineyards are 25 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean, and enjoy a cool yet sunny climate above the fog line. The growing season there is long, and naturally low yields, along with slow, steady maturation, result in incredibly intense fruit.
If you appreciate the qualities that result in Bordeaux varietals grown on the edge – namely, low alcohols, earth-driven flavours, and unique terroir – Cabernet from the Santa Cruz Mountains are prime examples. These are lower alcohol wines with full flavours that evolve beautifully with time.
Estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon is a Bordeaux-style blend of approximately 75% Cabernet, 22% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Fruit is macerated in small open-top stainless steel tanks, and then fermented by naturally occurring yeast. The young wine was aged in new French oak for nearly two years before it was bottled, unfiltered and unfined, and aged another two years prior to release. It has a long life ahead. The winery prides itself in an “Old World” style, and note that this is the most compelling vin de garde they’ve produced in the last three decades.
There is a notable depth of flavour, texture, vibrancy, and richness. The nose is all nuanced black currant, graphite, and mountain flowers. Fine integrated tannins buttress characteristic flavours of red currant, blackberry and earth. Recommended cellaring is ten to fifteen years, after which you will be rewarded with a complex and vibrant California Cabernet that shines among wines that cost over twice the price!
“This has a zesty set of loganberry, raspberry and sweet bay leaf notes mixed together, along with flashes of violet, mesquite and anise. There’s a good tug of warm gravel running underneath and nice energy throughout. Should mellow nicely with cellaring. Best from 2024 through 2034.”
93 points, Wine Spectator, Feb 2022
“Balanced aromas of redwood and pine give depth to the asphalt and leather elements on the nose of this bottling. The American oak seems prominent on the dense, leathery palate, where dark and dried fruits play along with sandalwood and mahogany flavors.”
92 points, Wine Spectator, Dec 2021
