Ridge Monte Bello | Wine Investment Offer

Estate Background:

This Californian estate lay dormant until four Stanford Research Institute engineers bought it in 1959. It wasn't until the enigmatic Paul Draper joined the partnership as head wine maker in 1969, that Ridge began to forge a reputation for itself as one of foremost producers in the region. A Stanford graduate himself, in philosophy, he had recently returned from setting up a winery in Chile's coast range, Paul was a practical winemaker, not an oenologist. His knowledge of fine wines and traditional methods complemented the straightforward "hands off" approach pioneered at Ridge. Draper has overseen every single vintage produced from this estate since '69, which is one of the key reasons why this estate is so revered around the world.

"Paul has been a beacon for the importance of single-vineyard sites, sustainable grape growing, selective "natural" winemaking practice and the diversity of wine styles. He is also a great human being." - Peter Gago, Penfolds

Another major event in the history of Ridge, and their ascent to the world of wine's top table, came when the 1971 vintage was entered in the famous Judgment of Paris Tasting of 1976. A blind tasting, where it came in 5th out of 10 wines, behind Stag's Leap, Mouton Rothschild, Montrose and Haut-Brion. In the Paris Tasting 30th Anniversary Re-enactment that took place in the Napa Valley and in London on May 24, 2006, again in blind tasting format, judges on both continents awarded top honours to the 1971 Ridge Monte Bello.

Ridge Monte Bello wines in general appear significantly undervalued in comparison to wines of a similar quality from both California and other major wine growing regions.

It is clear from the table above that Ridge Monte Bello offers a significant reduction in price by comparison to both leading neighbouring and international estates.

Here we have an estate and wine maker who rarely miss. America's First Growth has certainly fulfilled its responsibility to adhere to the narrative and certainly deserves an inclusion in a well-diversified wine investment portfolio.

Wines Available - We have focused on the last 5 releases for Ridge, Monte Bello due to the supply and value that these wines will offer held over the long term.

2014 Vintage

94-97pts (Antoni Galloni)
£495.00 per 6 x75cl case
Described as 'super classic' by Galloni, suggesting that this vintage could have even greater extended ageing period.
Latest vintage release, physically available in 2017.

2013 Vintage

96+ (AG)
£495 per 6x75cl case
2002 vintage (95+) currently trades at £850 per 6; a 71% premium
Overall vintage very good for California Cabernet Sauvignon; rated at 98, higher than the now famous 2012
Physically Available in 2016.

2012 Vintage

98pts (AG) and 19/20 from Jancis Robinson, a notoriously difficult critic to please.
£600 per 6
2012 a very good year for Californian wines with 12 perfect scores given by Parker, and an overall vintage score of 96.
Ridge not yet scored from TWA, however has already received high scores from other prominent critics.
Wines from other similarly rated vintages trade at a minimum of £1,680 per 12

2011 Vintage

94pts (AG)
£495.00 per 6
As with the '13 vintage, the 2002 vintage is an interesting bench mark;
trading at £850 per 6 and with a score of 95+

2010 Vintage

97+ (AG)
£1,170 per 12
Opus one 2010 only 96pts points and trades at £2,085 per 12
Comparable vintages:
2005 97+ £1,690 per 12
2002 95+ £1,700 per 12
2003 95+ £1,474 per 12
1996 95+ £1,600.00 per 12

For those interested in acquiring any of the above vintages that are not on offer please show your interest.