As for the reds, the 2013 Merlot Estate (100% Merlot from the Monte Bello Vineyard) achieved 13.8% natural alcohol. It is an elegant, restrained and well-crafted Merlot with sweet dark cherries, some spicy oak, and medium body, but not much structure. It is clearly crafted in a more finesse style than some of the Merlots from further north in Sonoma and Napa. This dark ruby-colored wine should be drunk over the next 7-8 years.

Made from 100% Merlot and checking in at 13.5% natural alcohol, the 2012 Merlot Estate sports an inky purple color to go with terrific notes of black cherries, crème brulee, spice, smoked herbs and licorice. Fabulously pure with medium to full-bodied richness, no hard edges ,and both freshness and richness, it's one of the top Merlots I've tasted from the Santa Cruz Mountains; it will have upwards of 10-15 years of longevity.

The 2010 Merlot Estate (100% Merlot from the Monte Bello Vineyard that achieved 13.2% alcohol) comes from parcels planted at a high elevation between 1300 and 2600 feet. Classic notes of black cherries and mocha jump from the glass of this dark ruby/plum-colored Merlot. Soft and round with good fruit, medium body and a vibrant, uplifting finish, this tasty, moderately endowed Merlot can be consumed over the next 5-7 years. Tel. (408) 867-3233

The 2009 Merlot Estate is a very beautiful wine that reflects more Santa Cruz Mountains personality than varietal character. Dark red fruit, tobacco and mintare woven together in this bright, generous, beautifully articulated wine. The Merlot is made from two parcels planted at 1,300 and 2,000 feet of elevation in the Jimsomare property, which is now part of the Ridge estate. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. Indiana Jones and I have one thing in common – a fear of snakes. That is why every time I see the sign in the Ridge parking lot that reads “Beware of rattlesnakes,” I get a little uneasy. So it’s quickly into the tasting room for me. Winemaker Eric Baugher and his team have prepared a great tasting covering all of the Ridge classics, plus a few smaller-production bottlings I am tasting for the first time. This is a sublime set of new releases from one of this country’s greatest heritage wineries. It’s hard to know where to start, but the highlights are the 2009 Monte Bello, followed by the 2010, which will be released this year, plus some of the Zinfandels and Zinfandel-based wines. The 2010 harvest was not an easy one. The summer was very cold, as it was throughout California. Ridge was severely affected by August heat spikes that were crippling for Zinfandel. The wines that were bottled are the result of a severe selection of the best fruit that survived the heat. Tel. (408) 867-3233