JebDunnuck.com: 98 Points “Buttered citrus, pineapple, spicy wood, and flower oil notes all emerge from Ridge’s 2022 Chardonnay Estate, which comes all from the Monte Bello Vineyard on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Beautifully pure, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated, it has a Meursault-like oak character, beautiful mid-palate depth, bright acidity, and a gorgeous finish. California Chardonnay doesn’t get much better, and this ripe, opulent, yet flawlessly balanced beauty will evolve for at least a decade.” -Jeb Dunnuck (August 2024)

JamesSuckling.com: 96 Points “Wonderfully concentrated and full-bodied but somehow light on its feet. The limestone soil and Wente clone vines planted in 1982 help give it an almost dense but elegant feel, with minerals, lime zest, a touch of vanilla bean and chalk. Great balance and lively acidity lead to a long finish. Drink or hold.” -Jim Gordon (May 2024)

Owen Bargreen.com: 95 Points “The ‘Estate’ Chardonnay mainly comes from the Monte Bello Vineyard, as they did not make a Monte Bello Chardonnay this vintage. This was whole cluster pressed to tank and saw considerable pumpers and oxygen infusion, as well as regular less stirring. Coming from vines set on limestone soils, this was stored in a combination of American oak, French oak and Amphorae. This offers a silky texture with beautiful body. Creme brûlée and buttered French bread notes combine with baked apple and suggestions of salted walnut on the palate. Drink 2024-2034.” -Owen Bargreen (March 2024)

Wine Enthusiast: 94 Points + Editor’s Choice “This legendary winery deserves constant props for being a leader in listing ingredients on wine labels. The wine’s great too, starting with tightly wound aromas of chiseled blocks of fine-grained wood plus Meyer lemon and flinty melon. The palate is stony and focused on a fine sandalwood spice, with lemon peel adding acidic balance.” -Matt Kettmann (June 2024)

Decanter: 94 Points “A ripe, opulent Chardonnay from the legendary Montebello grounds in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Aromatics of lemon curd and nutmeg-dusted pear flesh converge alongside honeyed florals. A full and fleshy palate with a throughline of salinity frames smoky grilled pineapple, honeycomb and concentrated lemon oils. A note of nutmeg and spicy vanilla tones carries a core of ripe pomme fruit to the finish. Delicious and rich.” -Clive Pursehouse (September 2024)

Wine Spectator: 93 Points “Bold and distinctive, with notes of flint, toasted sesame seed and litsea oil adding a savory overtone to the core of ripe stone fruit, pineapple and pear flavors, backed by plenty of fresh acidity. More distinctive notes of beeswax, nutmeg and toasted green tea linger on the finish. Drink now.” -MaryAnn Worobiec (May 2024)

Vinous Media: 92 Points “Ridge’s 2022 Chardonnay Estate is full-bodied, deeply flavored and ready to play. Still reductive and overtly displaying American oak’s vanilla/dill hallmarks, there’s a tempting sweetness to its honeyed peach, chamomile and wood spice tones that makes this very satisfying today. Ample textural harmony rides through the finish, embracing the palate like a warm hug. That said, it lacks motivating energy and verve, falling ever-so-slightly flat on the close.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)