Ridge grows one of the most distinctive Cabernets in California at its Monte Bello estate. This vintage represents a selection of 38% of the crop, which itself had been naturally restricted by lower than average rainfall, particularly in winter. Ridge doesn't irrigate these vines-nor do they inoculate the juice to start fermentation, which yielded a modest 13.2% alcohol in 2004. The fractured limestone in the soil provided just enough moisture to grow this elegant Cabernet, with flavors of wild black cherries and black currants.

93 Vinous

Just beginning to enter its early plateau of maturity, the 2004 is in a beautiful spot right now. Sweet tobacco, smoke, cedar, licorice and leather meld into a core of dark fruit. The 2004 won't last forever, but it does have enough depth to age beautifully for the another decade, perhaps more. A distinctly floral/savory finish rounds things out nicely.