Comments on: Paul Draper’s forty years and the making of Ridge Monte Bello

By: There’s Zin. And then there’s Ridge Geyserville. [mature wine] | Dr Vino's wine blog

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:34:06 +0000

[...] visit the property and talk with the cellar masters this past spring. Although I also tasted some spectacular wines of Monte Bello, I was looking forward to the tasting of old zinfandels dating back to 1973, including multiple [...]

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:45:10 +0000

Great topic. I met Mr Draper when I was invited for a tasting at Ridge by one of my attending surgeons when I was a resident. He was there in his usual outfit, extremely gracious and thoughtful. We tasted the 2000(not the final assemblage), 1997, and 1990 Monte Bello. By far my favorite was the 90, which was going for (and still is on their website) for $300/bt. I found a 6 pack online the next day for $360 total. Best purchase of my life!

By: “A Beaujolais-style Zinfandel” Paul Draper & Julia Child | Dr Vino's wine blog

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:20:11 +0000

[...] Paul Draper appeared on the program “Dinner with Julia” with Julia Child in 1983. As you might expect, he brought along some wines from his Ridge Vineyards. The trip back in time is complete when he offers Julia a Ridge, Amador, 1980 Zinfandel, which he describes as “a Beaujolais-style Zinfandel.” Watch the brief clip to catch a glimpse of Ridge White Zinfandel (who knew!) and to see what Paul pairs with artichoke and lobster! Permalink | Comments (3) | SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "“A Beaujolais-style Zinfandel” Paul Draper & Julia Child", url: "http://www.drvino.com/2010/08/02/beaujolais-zinfandel-paul-draper-julia-child/" }); | American wine This entry was posted on Monday, August 2nd, 2010 at 8:00 am and is filed under American wine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Aug 2 2010 3 [...]

By: tom merle

tom merle — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:42:39 +0000

Robert M,

Does this mean that RB found the Monte Bello far better after ageing for a decade? Or were the 91s selected based on Mr. Parker’s preferences in 2001? If so, what does this say about his palate not including the MB in the initial list. Pretty confusing.

By: Robert Millman

Robert Millman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:23:18 +0000

Tyler–this story may amuse you and your readers: Some years ago Robert Parker conducted a tasting of the 1991 California Cabs on their 10th anniversary for Executive Wine Seminars. As per usual we offered the wines that Mr. Parker had rated most highly. Paul Draper called me to ask why the Ridge Monte Bello–long a favorite wine of mine– was not included. I explained that the list of wines were those chosen by Parker not by my partner and I. He asked if we could include the 1991 Monte Bello as an extra and of course we did so. All 15 wines were tasted blind. I am sure you know what I am going to say: The Montebello came in 1st. I believe that it was among Parker’s 3 favorite wines. It was and is a magnificent example of Montebello at its best.
Bob Millman, Executive Wine Seminars

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:32:23 +0000

When I saw the piece in last Wednesday’s NY Times Dining and Wine section about Ridge, I practically got heart palpitations. California Zinfandel has always been my very favorite wine to drink, and I’ve loved Paul Draper and Ridge Zinfandels for just years. He is a rock star, in my estimation.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:46:34 +0000

Thanks for the great report. Ridge is my favourite California winery, and the one which turned me on to the world of fine wine.

@Robbie – I lived in China for a few years and also suffered from Ridge-withdrawal. Only place I ever saw their wine was while travelling in the touristy town of Yangshuo. A nice cafe had a half-bottle of, if I recall, Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet on their wine list.

By: Dr. Vino

Dr. Vino — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:53:52 +0000

So glad you enjoyed the post! Stay tuned for Part II!

@ StockJockey – glad you have a sentimental attachment to a great wine!

@ Chris – we didn’t try the 1993. Have you tried every other vintage? I know you taste a lot of fine wine!

@ Robbie – the 88 was showing v well last week…Thanks for the kind words.

By: Vladamir

Vladamir — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:53:22 +0000

Che was a murderous rampaging thug. Anyone wearing his image due to a misplaced notion of ‘coolness’ or the NYC ‘hipster quotient’ is an idiot.

Mentioning him in a wine blog is mindless as well.

By: Robbie C.

Robbie C. — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:16:54 +0000

It’s awesome to see this shout-out to Paul Draper. I was just looking up info on him a week or two ago because I hadn’t heard anything about him for awhile (and I haven’t had a Ridge wine in a couple years since I can’t find them in China) I really miss drinking these wines! It was a Ridge wine that really got me interested in wines (and in paying more than $20 for a bottle of wine)

I occasionally go to the Ridge website just to look over the current releases and drool. The best Monte Bello I ever had was an 88′. The worst I ever had was an 83′ (could have been stored improperly because it came from an auction)

MMM, here I am drooling again. Tyler, I’m so jealous of your trip!

By: chris robinson

chris robinson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:51:22 +0000

Draper isn’t just a great wine maker, he is probbaly the greatest blender of varietals bar none. The Zins are always remarkable blends and the Monte Bello just a serious wine drinker’s thought piece. And how was the MB 1993? Sadly the only one I had was corked.

By: Peter Grant

Peter Grant — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:34:13 +0000

Great article. I wish I could do a tasting like that!

By: Eric Guido

Eric Guido — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:18:07 +0000

Great article. I love RIDGE and this was a wonderful, detailed look into their 2009 tasting. I’m also a Monte Bello collector that never has the chance to make it to their tastings but your piece almost made me feel like I was there.

The background on Draper was much appreciated as well. Thanks.

By: StockJockey

StockJockey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:44:11 +0000

Great Post. I was always partial to the ’85 Monte Bello, mostly because of one great bottle.