2006 Ridge, Santa Cruz Mountains, Cab Sauv/Merlot, California

A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Aromas of minty cassis and plum. Very restrained, almost Bordeaux-like feel to the palate, with firm tannins evident along with crisp acidity. Aged for about 16 months in American oak barrels, half new, which impart a delicate but natural sweet edge to the wine. Needs a bit more time to integrate all the various elements but a highly promising wine, ready to drink in 2011.
(Alun Griffiths MW, BBR Wine Director)

Light, pure nose. Very ripe claret. Lightly sinewy. Forward and very superior polished claret. Black fruits...
...Ridge, Santa Cruz Mountains Estate 2006 is the equivalent of a particularly good first-growth second wine, except that it is, conveniently, much more forward than any 2006 first-growth second wine I know in Bordeaux....the 2006 is almost ready to drink, tasting like a super-ripe, super-polished top-quality red bordeaux.  I gave it 17.5 points out of 20 (super-generous for me) and thought it would drink beautifully throughout the decade to come. This is very sophisticated wine by any measure.
(Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com - 11 Mar 2010)