Ratings & Tasting Notes:

None found.

Cult Wines International Notes:

The 1976 Ridge Vineyards York Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is a distinguished relic from a transformative era in California winemaking, produced during the same year that Ridge’s Monte Bello gained international fame at the Judgment of Paris. Sourced from the York Creek Vineyard—owned by Fritz Maytag and perched high in the Mayacamas Range on the Spring Mountain District—this wine reflects a high-altitude “mountain” pedigree. The 1976 vintage was defined by a severe drought in California, which resulted in small, concentrated berries with a high skin-to-juice ratio. This produced a wine of immense structure, significant tannins, and deep color, characteristics that have allowed it to endure for nearly five decades. Crafted by the legendary Paul Draper with his signature “pre-industrial” approach, the wine was fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in American oak, embodying the rustic yet refined style that defines Ridge’s historical Napa bottlings.

Now at an advanced stage of maturity, the 1976 York Creek has evolved into a complex, tertiary-driven Cabernet. It typically reveals a bouquet of dried currants, tobacco leaf, and cedar, often accompanied by the distinct Spring Mountain spiciness and earthy undertones of campfire and forest floor. On the palate, the once-powerful tannins have largely resolved, yielding a medium-bodied, elegant mouthfeel that retains a surprising core of fruit and vibrant acidity. While it may lean toward the leaner, more savory “claret” style of the 1970s, well-preserved bottles continue to show remarkable persistence and a savory, mint-inflected finish. It remains a fascinating benchmark for collectors interested in the longevity of high-elevation Napa Cabernet and the non-interventionalist winemaking legacy of Ridge Vineyards.

Bottle Size:

750 mL

Storage History:

Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.

Condition:

Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.

Outstanding condition for its age. high shoulder fill level.