Stockholm
Tasted Tuesday, June 25, 2013 by Vintomas with 434 views
A tasting with Paul Draper featuring four young wines plus three older vintages of Monte Bello. Arranged by the Swedish importer Vinunic.
There seemed to be some bottle variation, as opinions differed somewhat on the three vintages relative merits.
2011 Ridge Chardonnay Estate 89 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Nose with ripe yellow fruit - yellow apples, citrus, some tropical fruit - rather buttery oak note, some vanilla.
Full-bodied, ripe citrus, yellow apple, slightly oily, good acidity, some mineral. Good balance but too me an obvious New World style, more so than my few impressions of Monte Bello Chardonnay.
Drinkable now, can be cellared.
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2011 Ridge Lytton Springs 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Deep red colour with some purple notes.
Nose with sweet red and dark fruit, including blackberries, hints of dried fruit, some chocholate. Slightly sweeter in the nose than Geyserville.
Palate with ripe and sweet berries, cherries and some blackberries, medium - tannins, good acidity, spice, some alcoholic fire. Good balance for a Zinfandel.
Accessible now, can be cellared.
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2011 Ridge Geyserville 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Rather deep red colour with some purple notes.
Nose with sweet red and dark berries, hints of dried fruit, some perfume nots. Slightly more discrete nose than Lytton Springs.
Palate with ripe and sweet red berries, good concentration, medium(-) tannin, spice, hints of alcoholic fire. More balanced and polished on the palate than Lytton Springs.
Accessible now, can definitely be cellared.
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2010 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 90 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Deep red colour.
Nose with ripe and sweet blackcurants, some liquorice, some violets, nuanced nose, balanced oak notes with some chocolate and coffee.
Palate with ripe blackcurrants and red berries, very polished medium tannins, good acidity, aftertaste with berries and tannins.
Polished style, definitely accessible already now, but based on previous experience I can't rule out that it enters a "dumb phase" in a few years.
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