usacab

2011  (writing on label)

(writing on label)

2005  sl stained label

2019  by Thomas Rivers Brown

Made by Thomas Rivers Brown from a vineyard situated directly next to Dunn on Howell Mountain, this vibrant wine shows the power and restraint of Howell Mountain. "First, a powerful bouquet of rose petals, African violets, and lavender greet your nose. Next, wanting to show its true colors you will find balanced fruit attributes of Bing cherries, plums and cranberries on the palate. A mountain wine at heart, graphite and iron are also ever-present. In an effort to show its youthfulness, this medium bodied wine with lively acidity and inviting freshness finishes with energetic yet refined tannins." ---- Only 280 cases were made. ---- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon ---- Aging: 20 months in French Oak ---- Barrel Program: 27% new ---- 14.2% ABV ---- pH 3.82 ---- TA 6.1

2005  

"Lush and dramatic. Shows intense flavors of black currants and cedar, wrapped into extremely fine tannins and liberally enhanced with sweet, smoky oak. Very good, but young and fresh. Best 2010–2013." - 91pts Wine Enthusiast (Tasted 7/2011)

2016  

"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes from the Santa Cruz Mountain estate, and it follows its big brother Monte Bello's style with a terrific sense of elegance paired with richness. Lots of crème de cassis, crushed violets, vanilla, tobacco leaf, and cedar notes flow to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered Cabernet Sauvignon that has terrific purity, building tannins, and a great finish. It offers pleasure today yet won't hit prime time for another 5-7 years, and it's going to evolve for 15-20 years (probably longer)." - 94+pts JD -- "Once again an overachiever, Ridge's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is regal. Aromatically intense and deep on the palate, the 2016 proves to be utterly captivating from the very first taste. Dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, dried flowers, leather and menthol infuse the 2016 with remarkable complexity. In 2016, the last year of the drought cycle Ridge made one of the very best editions of this wine. Just as remarkably, the 2016 is incredibly harmonious for such a young wine." - 94pts Vinous

2010  

"The 2010 Vin Perdu is gorgeous. Plums, black currants, grilled herbs, tar and licorice are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in this full-bodied, intense wine. A dark, rich, voluptuous red, the 2010 Vin Perdu shows Heidi Barrett at her best. Hints of menthol, tar, licorice and pencil shavings are layered into the powerful, inviting finish. The 2010 is loaded with serious depth and power. In 2010 the blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Petit Sirah, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot." - 94pts Vinous