Santa Cruz County
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£19.50
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£210.60
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£23.40
Bottle 12 x 75cl 17cs
£149.52
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Bottle
£27.95
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£301.80
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£33.60
Bottle 12 x 75cl 5cs
£225.48
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Birichino,
Drink now,
This extraordinary vineyard lies next to an oil field (called the Jurassic Park Oil Centre – from which the vineyard takes its name). The soils have a layer of deep sand (meaning the vines are able to survive ungrafted), but beneath – and as the nearby pump jacks suggest – there is complex geology. Birichino works with three precious rows of the 40-year-old vines to produce this golden wine. It offers beeswax and orange blossom aromatics, with a citrus-fruit vibrancy on the palate. The linear core has hints of dried apricot that add breadth to the mouth-feel.
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Bottle
£28.00
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£302.40
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£33.60
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Birichino,
Ready, but will keep,
Named after two Georges – Jr and the late Sr – with whom Birichino have worked for over 20 years, this Pinot Noir is made with fruit from various sites. The site owned and farmed by George Jr today (and originally planted for Josh Jensen at Calera) adds a botanical spicy element, while grapes from southern Monterey add a fleshy, juicy note. A touch of fruit from their Lilo site adds – in winemaker John’s words – “class”, and some Antel fruit “for a bit of guts”. Together they make a delicious Pinot – an “honest” wine, as John describes it. With a bright, red-berry fruit profile, the wine has classic New World Pinot perfume. It’s floral and spicy, but with a restraint that is typical of Volnay.
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Bottle
£30.95
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Birichino,
Ready, but will keep,
This is – as one might expect from the non-conformist duo behind Birichino – atypical Zinfandel with balance and floral notes, rather than high alcohol and overripe aromas. Dried cranberries are layered with sweet spice, redcurrants, sour cherries and black tea notes. Pale ruby in colour, it is vibrant, with refreshing acidity and a silky texture.
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
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£32.45
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£350.40
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£39.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl 5cs
£265.92
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Birichino,
Ready, but will keep,
This is Birichino’s first bottled vintage from the Antle Vineyard. The grapes have – to now – been picked much earlier than the other sites winemakers Alex and John work with. Compared to their entry-level Pinot, Saint Georges, or their other single-vineyard Pinot, Lilo, this is a more muscular style, offering a rockier, grippier palate.
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Bottle
£39.75
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£427.20
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£49.80
Bottle 12 x 75cl 2cs
£330.00
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£51.00
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£549.48
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 15cs
£431.88
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Case price (H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl)
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl 3cs
£827.88
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 4cs
£822.00
Case price (Magnum 3 x 150cl)
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
£840.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will keep,
A brilliantly focussed, classical Cabernet blend, approaching the moment when the fruit will blossom into the multi-layered complexity of a great Monte Bello. Decant well in advance of serving.
"A wine of great balance, finesse and grace. Well-focused, the ripe, tart, rich blackberry and currant fruit is intense yet elegant, picking up earthy, mineral and sage notes, and finishing with fine, well-integrated tannins. Cab. Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab. Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012."
92/100 pts. (Wine Spectator - Oct 2002)
"A wine of great balance, finesse and grace. Well-focused, the ripe, tart, rich blackberry and currant fruit is intense yet elegant, picking up earthy, mineral and sage notes, and finishing with fine, well-integrated tannins. Cab. Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab. Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012."
92/100 pts. (Wine Spectator - Oct 2002)
Case price (H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl)
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl 2cs
£911.88
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 3cs
£906.00
Case price (D. Magnum 1 x 300cl)
D. Magnum 1 x 300cl 1cs
£745.00
Case price (Imperial 1 x 600cl)
Imperial 1 x 600cl 1cs
£1,489.00
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Case price (H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl)
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl 1cs
£935.88
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Magnum 3 x 150cl 2cs
£936.00
Case price (Imperial 1 x 600cl)
Imperial 1 x 600cl 1cs
£1,545.00
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Case price (H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl)
H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl 1cs
£1,199.88
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,194.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will keep,
Yields of just over a ton per acre have resulted in one of our most concentrated vintages ever. Intense black fruit, a pronounced mineral component, and subtle floral notes, combined with rich tannins, give the 2005 potential for greatness. Though it is difficult to identify another vintage of similar characteristics this early on, the exceptional 1996 might come closest.
Paul Draper - Winemaker - Ridge Vineyards
Paul Draper - Winemaker - Ridge Vineyards
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H/Bottle 12 x 37.5cl 2cs
£1,211.88
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will improve,
Monte Bello 2008 is the first vintage with only Cabernet and Merlot in the final blend. 'We think press wines can really make all the difference.' Very firm and savoury with a trace of lively, savoury US oak on the nose at the moment. Beautiful texture, rich and round.
Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com - March 2010
Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com - March 2010
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
£906.00
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Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,140.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Drink now,
Monte Bello has often been called America's First Growth, as it is the finest domestic example of a classic Bordeaux blend in which cabernet sauvignon predominates.
The Monte Bello vineyard, located only 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, is part of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California's coolest Cabernet Sauvignon producing area. The wine making approach is of minimum intervention, achieved by combination of natural, hands-off winemaking techniques: keeping all grape varieties and all parcels separate, fermenting in small fermentors using only natural yeasts, and transferring the separate lots into air-dried American oak barrels to undergo full, natural malolactic fermentation.
The Monte Bello vineyard, located only 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, is part of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California's coolest Cabernet Sauvignon producing area. The wine making approach is of minimum intervention, achieved by combination of natural, hands-off winemaking techniques: keeping all grape varieties and all parcels separate, fermenting in small fermentors using only natural yeasts, and transferring the separate lots into air-dried American oak barrels to undergo full, natural malolactic fermentation.
Case price (Bottle 12 x 75cl)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
£3,000.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will keep,
This impressive 2006 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (68 percent), Merlot (20 percent), Petit Verdot (10 percent) and a handful of Cabernet Franc (two percent). This is an extremely concentrated wine with powerful aromas and an expansive palate bursting with black forest fruit, mocha, juniper and sweet spice flavours, whilst fine tannins provide impeccable structure. As one expects of Ridge’s wines, this should age for a further thirty years or so.
Ridge Vineyards makes wines that compete in terms of quality and desirability with Bordeaux First Growths and Grand Cru white Burgundies. Founder Paul Draper has practised and engendered a practical, hands-off approach to winemaking at Ridge, one that has resulted in an exceptional and highly sought-after range of wines.
Ridge Vineyards makes wines that compete in terms of quality and desirability with Bordeaux First Growths and Grand Cru white Burgundies. Founder Paul Draper has practised and engendered a practical, hands-off approach to winemaking at Ridge, one that has resulted in an exceptional and highly sought-after range of wines.
Case price (Magnum 3 x 150cl)
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
£939.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will improve,
The just-bottled 2010 Monte Bello combines pure structure and power in a rich, full-bodied style for this wine. Waves of dark red fruit, crushed rocks, flowers, mint and grilled herbs wrap around the long, insistent finish. Today, the 2010 is slightly more reticent than it was last year, but the wine comes to life the more it sits in the glass. Always classy, the 2010 Monte Bello impresses for its impeccable balance. Count me among those who will be thrilled to own this magnificent California classic. The 2010 is a decidedly virile, powerful Monte Bello, qualities winemaker Eric Baugher attributes to a year with a very cold summer and periods of heat that arrived only towards the tail end of the growing season. In 2010, the blend is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040.
Antonio Galloni - Wine Advocate - Aug-2012
Antonio Galloni - Wine Advocate - Aug-2012
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Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
£945.00
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£935.00
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Case price (Magnum 3 x 150cl)
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
£1,797.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will keep,
Ridge Vineyards makes wines that compete in terms of quality and desirability with Bordeaux First Growths and Grand Cru white Burgundies. Founder Paul Draper has practised and engendered a practical, hands-off approach to winemaking at Ridge, one that has resulted in an exceptional and highly sought-after range of wines.
A dry, mild winter left the vines short of water. Fortunately summer fog cooled the nights, reducing stress. The grapes from each parcel where whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented as separate lots. During malolactic, lees stirring added complexity. Fresh and wonderfully aromatic, this fine Chardonnay shows the elegance of the vintage.
A dry, mild winter left the vines short of water. Fortunately summer fog cooled the nights, reducing stress. The grapes from each parcel where whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented as separate lots. During malolactic, lees stirring added complexity. Fresh and wonderfully aromatic, this fine Chardonnay shows the elegance of the vintage.
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
£780.00
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£950.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,000.00
New To BBX
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£1,200.00
D. Magnum 1 x 300cl 1cs
£690.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will improve,
A blend of 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 percent Merlot, six percent Petit Verdot and five percent Cabernet Franc, the grapes for this wine come from Ridge’s iconic Monte Bello vineyard in the Santa Cruz mountains. The complex terroir and the elevation of the Monte Bello property, combined with meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and winery enable the Ridge wines to age remarkably, while also offering accessibility in youth. This 2014 has a generous profile with a mix of red and black fruits. Sweet and savoury spice aromas combine with cloves, while a herbal top-note adds complexity and depth to this Bordeaux blend. It has a velvety texture with ripe but broad tannins and refreshing acidity. Drink now or keep for a further six to eight years (2024-26).
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
£600.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will keep,
A retaste of the flagship wine, the 2007 Monte Bello (a blend from this famous estate of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc) reveals a dense ruby/purple wine with a floral, blueberry, and earthy cassis nose and elegant mid-weight flavors with impressive purity and classicism. There is good acidity, firm tannin, and modest alcohol (13.1%). This is not the most concentrated or powerful Monte Bello, but one built on finesse and elegance. According to the back label, only 41% of the production made it into this wine from the 103-acre estate vineyard. Give this wine another good 5-7 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 20-25 years.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate # 193 - Feb 2011
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate # 193 - Feb 2011
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£1,045.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will keep,
Quite possibly one of the greatest examples of this legendary cuvée from Ridge. The blend is unusual in that it is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, (usually much more) 36% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot. The fruit is incredibly pure and fresh, with piercing definition of cassis, graphite, plums and kirsch overlaid with a spicy, smoky aroma. On the palate there is immense concentration, but no sense of blowsiness or heat despite the relatively high alcohol of 14.2%. The acidity and tannins are pronounced, giving the wine an austere note in its youth, but the lush texture supplied by the high Merlot content helps to offset this and there remains a silkiness underneath the rather firm exterior. Only now is the wine beginning to emerge from its youthful period and begin to develop more mature flavours, but it seems sure to be a wine of immense longevity which will give increasing pleasure over the next 20 years. Drink with full-flavoured red meat, from now until 2040.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£2,100.00
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Ridge Vineyards,
For laying down,
The 2011 Monte Bello (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc) emerges from the glass with tobacco, grilled herbs, smoke, incense and plums melding together in this soft, beautifully textured Monte Bello. The 2011 is a wine of exceptional textural finesse. The 100% new oak is totally integrated. In 2011, Ridge used a total of 18 of a possible 24 lots for the final blend. The presence of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon is the highest since the 1980s. I expect the 2011 to be a relatively early drinking Monte Bello, but time will be the judge.
Antonio Galloni - Wine Advocate - Issue#202 Aug 2012
Antonio Galloni - Wine Advocate - Issue#202 Aug 2012
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Ridge Vineyards,
Ready, but will keep,
Lovely perfume of Cassis and black plum fruit on the nose with a touch of earth, mocha, undergrowth. The palate is finely poised with a medium body, finely grained tannins and a very lifted acidity which gives an impression of a cool climate Cabernet and a lovely old world sensibility. A lovely well balanced Cabernet that will drink now perfectly with red meat but will keep another 3 – 5 years.
Stuart Rae - Private Account Manager
Stuart Rae - Private Account Manager
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Ridge Vineyards,
For laying down,
Ridge Vineyards makes wines that compete in terms of quality and desirability with Bordeaux First Growths and Grand Cru white Burgundies. Founder Paul Draper has practised and engendered a practical, hands-off approach to winemaking at Ridge, one that has resulted in an exceptional and highly sought-after range of wines.
This impressive 2013 is a Cabernet Sauvignon blend with less Merlot than usual, after the drought of 2013. This is an extremely concentrated wine, with powerful, seamless aromas of cassis and violet. A big wine, for sure, but drinking nicely from 2019 and onwards.
This impressive 2013 is a Cabernet Sauvignon blend with less Merlot than usual, after the drought of 2013. This is an extremely concentrated wine, with powerful, seamless aromas of cassis and violet. A big wine, for sure, but drinking nicely from 2019 and onwards.
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Oliver Barton, Wine Buyer