In 1949, retired theologian William Short planted a few acres of Chardonnay on Monte Bello ridge, and these vines were the source of Ridge's Monte Bello Chardonnay between 1962 and 1984. The last vintage produced from these old vines, the 1984 Chardonnay Monte Bello is still drinking well today, wafting from the glass with notes of crisp yellow orchard fruit, crushed chalk and subtle notions of salted caramel. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied and still amazingly structured, with tensile acids, intense concentration and a chewy, chalky finish. It's fully mature but certainly in no danger of imminent decline. Interestingly, this wine would have been produced from a heritage selection of Chardonnay, likely either Mount Eden or Wente, whereas subsequent vintages were produced from California Clone 4 (a more generously yielding clone that retains considerable acidity at high sugars), something that's only changing today as Ridge gradually replants.
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