Ridge Torre Merlot 2016

Ridge Torre Merlot 2016

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£175.00
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  • Jancis Robinson rating 18
Ridge Torre Merlot 2016
53 left

HED14856

75 cl

13%
£175.00
Taxes included.

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Ridge Torre Merlot 2016 is a limited-production bottling from the Monte Bello estate in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. It forms part of Ridge’s Historic Vineyard Series, which isolates individual parcels from the four historic ranches that make up Monte Bello, bottling them separately only when the fruit shows sufficient individual character. The Torre property has been part of Monte Bello’s history since the early twentieth century, when the Torre family established a vineyard and small winery on the site. Ridge acquired the property in 1959. This 2016 release comes specifically from the south-facing ‘Bowl’ block, planted to Merlot in 1988. Its sheltered position creates a warmer microclimate than more exposed parts of the mountain, which proved particularly beneficial during the relatively cool 2016 growing season. Made from 100% organically grown Merlot, the grapes were harvested on 24 September and fermented with native yeasts. The wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation before spending 17 months in American oak, 60% of which was new. Ripe bramble fruit, red cherry and blackcurrant are joined by anise, toasted oak and the crushed-rock character associated with Monte Bello’s limestone-rich soils. The palate combines concentrated fruit with firm acidity, polished tannins and integrated oak spice, leading to a long, structured finish.

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Mountain Wines of Distinction

Named after the historic vineyard area of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains has been a byword for fine Californian wine since the early 1960s. Ridge shot to fame in the fabled 1976 Judgement of Paris. It was at this groundbreaking blind tasting that the 1971 Ridge Monte Bello was pitted against some of the most revered First Growths of Bordeaux. It placed fifth. (NB: in a re-enactment of the same tasting held in 2006, Monte Bello 1971 placed first.)

Under legendary winemaker Paul Draper, Ridge Vineyards became renowned for the exceptional quality of its single-vineyard wines. Though Draper has now retired, the estate continues to produce terroir-focused wines with the same commitment to organic farming and traditional winemaking techniques. From the fine Bordeaux blends and Chardonnays of Monte Bello to the Zinfandels of Lytton Springs and Geyserville in Sonoma, and all points in between, Ridge Vineyards remains one of the most celebrated names in California wine.

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