Bottled in March of 2018 and a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello offers a more streamlined, elegant, and ultra-classic style compared to the 2014 and 2015, which are slightly bigger, richer wines. Boasting a deep purple color and beautiful purity in its crème de cassis, blueberry, white flowers, and vanilla bean, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, silky tannins, and perfect balance. It doesn’t have the sheer depth of fruit of some of the blockbuster years, yet makes up for it with its incredible purity, poise, and balance. Relatively approachable for a Monte Bello, it’s still going to see its 30th birthday in fine form.
97 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)
Plush and dense, with a distinct racy edge for counterbalance, showing a massive core of dark plum and blackberry fruit, scored by bay leaf, sage and violet notes. A massive young wine that will cruise in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.—Non-blind Ridge Monte Bello vertical (June 2019). Best from 2026 through 2046.
96 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (2019)
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