divine- always my favorites- ridge - in my heavy napa cellar. this ones' been sleeping since i purchased it, wow! I think it is at or near it's absolute peak...Amazing bouquet of rick dark, some floral. Definite mix of red and black fruit. Oak has mellowed out over the years. Definite herbal undertones. Very tasty and enjoyable, but drink it now or near now....
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Darn near perfect! wow, i've been a ridge montebello collector and had this wine from inception, been sleeping in my cellar and it was time to open it for my 34th wedding anniversary, steak house dinner in roswell (ga). I am not sure how much life is left in this merlot forward version, maybe a couple, but i think i nailed it tonight by opening it and decanting, letting it sit for an hour while we had seafood and champagne. Then the aroma is ripe red fruits and purée. An overtone of earthy - maybe mushroom - brought back memory of one of my favorite bottles ever a 1989 haut brion. The smell is heavenly to me. The flavor is deep and many layers and went through evolution/phases during the evening slow go eat/savor. Of course, matched well to blue cheese over wedge and then spinalis... I tasted Red berries of all kinds, definite cedar (was it the smell or taste or both, hmmm), graphite, some leather and did i say deep berries (not berry forward). This is a champ and made the evening. If you have it - drink it enjoy it, this is a wild / different montebello.
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wowsa- ran through ullo, decanted via coravin 2 glasses of my new shipment from robb report! strong berry and floral on the scent, gorgeous dark, inky color. first taste, oh wow, that's spicy! nice. rich and velvety like a merlot. hmmm. dark rich berries, compote, earthy, but berry berry scent, not sweet. long silky finish. I love this wine!!
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2012 Ridge Merlot Estate
11/9/2023 - pitcrewstrategist Likes this wine: 90 Points
divine- always my favorites- ridge - in my heavy napa cellar. this ones' been sleeping since i purchased it, wow! I think it is at or near it's absolute peak...Amazing bouquet of rick dark, some floral. Definite mix of red and black fruit. Oak has mellowed out over the years. Definite herbal undertones. Very tasty and enjoyable, but drink it now or near now....
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2001 Ridge Monte Bello
3/7/2023 - pitcrewstrategist Likes this wine: 98 Points
Darn near perfect! wow, i've been a ridge montebello collector and had this wine from inception, been sleeping in my cellar and it was time to open it for my 34th wedding anniversary, steak house dinner in roswell (ga). I am not sure how much life is left in this merlot forward version, maybe a couple, but i think i nailed it tonight by opening it and decanting, letting it sit for an hour while we had seafood and champagne. Then the aroma is ripe red fruits and purée. An overtone of earthy - maybe mushroom - brought back memory of one of my favorite bottles ever a 1989 haut brion. The smell is heavenly to me. The flavor is deep and many layers and went through evolution/phases during the evening slow go eat/savor. Of course, matched well to blue cheese over wedge and then spinalis... I tasted Red berries of all kinds, definite cedar (was it the smell or taste or both, hmmm), graphite, some leather and did i say deep berries (not berry forward). This is a champ and made the evening. If you have it - drink it enjoy it, this is a wild / different montebello.
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2014 Elusa Petite Sirah
12/12/2022 - pitcrewstrategist Likes this wine: 93 Points
wowsa- ran through ullo, decanted via coravin 2 glasses of my new shipment from robb report! strong berry and floral on the scent, gorgeous dark, inky color. first taste, oh wow, that's spicy! nice. rich and velvety like a merlot. hmmm. dark rich berries, compote, earthy, but berry berry scent, not sweet. long silky finish. I love this wine!!
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