The California dream – a pairing with Monte Bello Ridge

For our tasting this week, a true highlight was the outstanding roasted fillet of beef, served with blue cheese-stuffed fig, maple-candied prosciutto and Bourbon jus.

Our Assistant Head Sommelier, Emmanuel has paired this dish with one of the stars of California – a glass of 2011 Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA. Ridge Monte Bello continues to gain international recognition since its victory over Bordeaux at the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting (the winner was a bottle of 1971). A fantastic, ripe and full-bodied choice for this dish.

Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, south of San Francisco, Paul Draper arrived at the vines of Monte Bello in 1969 shortly after the terraces were replanted. Paul’s practical and Old-World approach to wine-making results in a world-class, exceptional and multi award-winning range of wines.

This wine is showing aromas of ripe blackcurrant, ripe plum and dark figs with tobacco leaves and cedar – the perfect characteristics to pair with this earthy dish. This is a full-bodied wine to match with the meatiness of the beef, with ripe blackberries and bramble characters. Soft backing spices such as cloves, cinnamon and vanilla pair beautifully with the sweet figs and the jus to balance out this bold match.

Additionally, the elegant sweetness brought by the American oak barrel ageing works in unison with the Bourbon jus and the maple-candied prosciutto.

Do join us in the Club to enjoy the distinctive flavours and characters that make this such a classic, elegant and graceful pairing.