Ridge Monte Bello 2019, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA

Ridge Monte Bello 2019 is the wine equivalent of that overachiever who effortlessly nails every task while claiming, “Oh, I didn’t even study.” A blend of mountain-grown greatness and casual confidence, this bottle walks in like it’s already won Wine of the Year—because, well, it probably has. With a nose full of dark berries, graphite, and a whiff of cigar box, it’s the kind of wine that makes you feel like you should be swirling it in front of a roaring fire in a Napa Valley estate (even if you’re just in your living room). On the palate, it’s a smooth operator: blackcurrant, plum, and just enough tannins to remind you that this wine is playing the long game. As it opens up, there’s a backbone of spice and earth, like it’s casually dropping knowledge about its 40-year aging potential—no big deal. Perfect for when you want to feel like you’re drinking history in a glass, Ridge Monte Bello 2019 is a wine that says, “I’m not showing off… but I totally could if I wanted to.