Currant, cassis, cocoa, vanilla, spice and florals. Mouthfeel was delicate and slightly acidic. Good wine, but didn't blow me away given the high price tag.
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This is noticeably better than my previous bottle from a couple months ago. Gorgeous fragrant nose of fruit compote, tobacco, and vanilla. Red fruit, oak, and well balanced acidity. Overall very lively and youthful. Tannins almost entirely resolved. Enjoyed with filet at Ruth Chris in Long Beach. My last bottle.
Decanted 2 hours in advance, 05 Monte Bello is absolutely rocking tonight, intensely aromatic wafting layers of currant, cedar, dark chocolate, baking spices and classy, integrated vanillin oak. It’s both structured and detailed and the palate shows both richness and focus with an elegant texture and fine grained tannins. It’s in an amazing spot but definitely has a long life ahead.
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Lots of oak and hints of tobacco on the nose and palate, even after decanting 4h. The fruit is muted blackberries, tart cherries, there is some tobacco, campfire, and (surprisingly) residual, cheeky tannins too in the acidic finish. Best enjoyed with food, today paired with grilled venison tenderloin. Overall, not much has changed since my last note six years ago. This wine is not really improving with cellaring, if you have more, time to drink up!
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Might be the best Monte Bello I have had, and much better than the last two I have had from this vintage. Everything was firing - youthful nose, good color with no bricking, well balanced (nothing out of whack on the nose or finish), and a long, luxurious finish. Everything I am looking for in a wine.
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Medium (+) Acidity Medium Tannin High Alcohol Full Bodied Long Finish
Medium (+) Intensity - Black Cherry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cassis, Liquorice, Vanilla, Mocha, Graphite
Black fruits and sweet spices, coffee and chocolate, not much tertiary flavours, still young may be, well integrated tannins, balanced acidity, ripe and concentrated fruits. A little bit underwhelming at first, showing much more depth and complexity after an hour as it opened up, but still not that "Wow! Holy Shit" kind of wine, not that it's bad at all, it's actually very good and enjoyable, however when you look at the US$300 price tag, there are so many better choices. Drink or hold.
The Arbour with Your Highness: Wow. Ridge Monte Bello continues to be my favorite domestic red and this bottle reinforced why. Deep, detailed, and defined with lush red fruit, tobacco, slate, and spices. So many layers of concentrated goodness. Old school charm in a new world.
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A strong showing for the 2005. Much more approachable than previous tastings. Full of mocha and chocolate flavors with a fresh, tart backing, edging into licorice and earthy notes on the finish. Well crafted, balanced, tannins fully submerged. Decanting helped, but this was rewarding right out of the bottle. This Monte Bello has a long life ahead of it, and while very good now, it's still a few years from mature complexity. Try again in 2028.
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My first experience with this beautiful wine. I only got about a glass and a half, as it was shared by a generous friend from a 375ml, but I think I got enough out of it to write some comments. Feels like it has a long way to go yet if you want to sit on it, but doesn't feel like it NEEDS more aging, especially if you're not afraid of a little structure.
Very expressive right out of the gate, charging from the glass with about a 50-50 combo of rich (but surprisingly fresh) purple and black fruit, and a powerful, sweet American oak tone with cedar, vanilla, coconut, etc. Because of this strong American oak note and the still very dense/structured tannins, this almost resembled a great gran reserva Rioja - except with very different fruit, lots of blackberry cobbler and plum reduction, things like that, rather than the dried, sometimes sour fruit of older Rioja. At times the tannins were genuinely challenging, but in the end there was more than enough fruit to stand up to the immense textures.
This was a little more obviously new-world than I expected, in a good way- not at all the kind of classic cab that relies on tart, green, early-picked fruit to achieve a sense of balance, but a beautifully rich profile that's been super dialed-in through extremely mindful work in the vineyard and cellar (I love how it's detailed on the back label!)
Obviously this is pretty expensive and I can't fully comment on the QPR, as it's one of only a handful of wines I've tasted in the general price range. If I had one criticism, it's that I wouldn't call it very...complex, especially with that clear American oak note being so prominent, and not so different than pretty much any other quality wine which uses the stuff. But the amazing fruit itself combined with the use of said oak (each giving the other plenty of room) felt pretty unique, and incredibly engaging. In terms of classic, high-end US cabs I've had slightly better experiences with Dunn Howell Mtn and a Paul Hobbs Las Piedras, although this was right at their heels.
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Decanted for about 90 minutes and consumed over 2-3 hours. 96 points based on comments of friend visiting. Some initial funk on the nose that blew off. Classic Monte Bello flavors. Still an easy 10 years left.
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A much more satisfying experience than the horror of last time. A little bit closed, but clean and clear on the nose. Tobacco, wet earth. Smoky, grippy tannins. Still young. Chewy and intense, and astonishing balance and precision. Slate and graphite. Remarkable. Needs 15-20 years, quite frankly. Seems eternal.
Pretty tight out of the bottle, this needed 2-3 hours to really open up. Dark, ripe fuit, great concentration, long finish with tannins still there for a long life ahead. Nice balance although I think the fruit would give this away as a new world cab in a blind tasting. In a flight with '05 Dominus (which I might have picked as a Bordeax blind) and Montelena, I think in the end this was my favorite (although the Montelena showed better earlier as this one took longer to open up - and in the end the Montelena was still a very strong contender vs. the Monte Bello in my view). Great wine with a long life ahead. A
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First time drinking a Ridge MB. Decanted it more than 3 hours. Harmonious. smooth, velvety, with a long sweet finish. Very Bordeaux like. I have heard that MB is a bit different and then I realized why. It is the plum overtones that set this cab blend apart. It is very well done though. I think this wine is at its peak with a very slow downward curve for many years to come. Definitely not a baby unless stored in a larger format bottle. I have another one left!
Wonderful Ridge MB. Took at least 3-4 hours to open and really needed more time to open. Wonderful old Bordeaux notes of wooded forest and mild dark fruit. Nose of vanilla and cedar box/pencil shavings. Nice long silky finish.
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Such a baby! Still oaky on the nose, although it’s perfectly integrated. Very fragrant and extremely complex. A polished fruit bomb but at the same time so fresh and elegant. I need to stop opening these and forget them for a decade.
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Online Blind Tasting: BDX vs Napa plus some Sweets: Tasted blind. Note based on ~ 5cl bottle, filled two days before the tasting. Glass: Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux Clear, deep garnet color. Clean, medium intense, developing nose. Warm, fine fruit, a bit of fruits preserved in rum and sugar. Very round and warm. Dry, high acidity, high, silky tannin. A bit hot. On the palate fine warm red and dark fruit, spices, tobacco. Round, very good balance and elegance. Great texture. Lots of extract, depth and tension. Youthful and vital. Very long finish with fine red fruit, spices and fine tobacco leaves. Potential for at least another decade of improvement. 95+
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Pop and pour. Dark red color with limited transparency. Strong aroma of currant, sweet tobacco, cedar, and vanilla. Palate still rather tart with currant dominating. Tannins grip the long finish. Structure here still needs cellar time to resolve. Decanting recommended if you drink now. Hold.
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Showy with aromas of black fruits; the black-fruit theme continues on the palate bringing sweet black plum with perfectly integrated structure and a long finish. Maybe surprisingly, it bears a lot of similarity to great Pomerol (I would probably take It for a Pomerol in blind tasting); but guess the light tobacco notes reveal the Cabernet base
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Decanted 3 hours. Drank with a Bottle of Monte Bello 1996. There was a distinct difference with the 2005 being more “California Red” than the 1996, which could have easily passed for a French Bordeaux. Both were excellent, but not overwhelming. All of the proper notes were there, but not enough to propel it to amazing.
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Always loved Monte Bello and used to buy regularly. Rarely buy cabs any more and this was the last vintage I purchased, with one left. Frequently drink a MB at the holidays. Big and young. Ripe black cherries, currants, black plums, maybe a bit too ripe. Licorice, leather, spice. No rush to need to drink these.
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This may be more Wine Speculator window, as I found it to be shy, awkward and maybe frozen. Ashy, cool blue fruit tones with a heavy dose of acidity and tannins that dried the palate and kept it from being at the top. I wonder how the Ridge winemakers see it?
Dark red; leather, licorice; rich attack, lots of blueberries, blackberries, sweet, intense, deep; masculine compared to Lagrange same year also tasted, Ridge “wins” in my opinion, but close race, aftertaste long, intense, sunny, blackberries
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Five years since my last bottle, and I found this in a bit of an awkward stage - a bit tart/acidic, with a clipped finish. Even with several hours in the decanter, the wine didn't fully integrate. WS originally said drink through 2019, but I don't think it is on the decline. I will put the rest away for another five years.
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Birthday dinner with t-bone steak, roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts, this did not disappoint. Decanted an hour. Tobacco and dried leather aromas. Full bodied and smooth with no hard edges. Dark fruits, dark chocolate, licorice with some lingering black pepper on the finish. Plus tannins still especially towards the end of the bottle thinking this will still get better.
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Initially shows a young grapey flavor in this surprising 15 year old Monte Bello. Elegant balance, that Monte Bello earthy beet flavor, plums and cherries, along with supple yet spicy tannins. A wonderfully saturated wine that will cellar for at least another decade. Decanted two hours. With the initial grapey flavor and tannins, this clearly has a long life ahead. Drink now or hold. Just lovely.
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Tasted today after a 2 hr decant. Tannins were still dominant, this one needs at least 5 more years before revisiting. Has potential. It was light, as most MBs ive tried. Should impress in the future
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A complete disappointment. Oak and toasted coffee beans on the nose. Thick and rich and chocolatey. Like some kind of syrup. Kept sniffing and sipping, looking for more, but could find nothing of interest. Its reputation compels one to seek more interest, fragrance, flavour and beauty, but I found nothing other than a gloopy syrup with too much oak, dry tannin and little to recommend it. Honestly, I try hard to admire Bordeaux and Bordeaux blends, and very occasionally I'm truly wowed, but mostly I'm bored stiff by these wines. This is a particularly egregious example.
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Good ripe dark fruit on nose and palate at open but missing in the middle and tannins showing on the finish. Better with air and at 90 minutes this is very food with food (steak in particular) but I think it may fill out a bit with more time so might give it a few more years. A-/A?
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Vinetasters: Ridge Monte Bello (Skokie, IL): Served double blind from half-bottle. A mild barnyard element on the nose here, with the fruit not as prevalent (it’s hidden under those barnyard notes). There is nonetheless some black fruit here, alongside a fair bit of oak. The palate feels more red-focussed, with a coolness here that makes this relatively refreshing. However, upon retasting, I think the fruit is a little more pruney than I initially noted. Nonetheless, there’s still plenty of oak and fruit tannin remaining. My 6th, group's 5th.
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Opened, poured into a decanter and served about an hour later with food (roast pork, mashed potatoes, and spinach, in case you were wondering). Cork broke when opening so I double decanted to remove cork pieces and sediment. Dark ruby garnet color. Wonderful nose of ripe plums, and cherries, with a hint of oak and a slight smoky element. Delicious and deep flavors of dark fruits. Tannins are nicely integrated. The oak notes are slight and add some depth, helping to frame the fruit with some structural support (yes, all carpentry terms intended). Sufficient acidity to give the wine lift. Delicious. Not quite a "wow" wine but still outstanding.
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Very dark red color. Subtle red and black fruit aromas. Red cherry, earth and leather flavors with a lengthy and satisfying finish. Medium body with good acidity for food.
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Singular persona of smokey berries, black licorice, cool herbs, and medicinal notes. The fruit is so pure here, in both flavor and flowing texture. Everything is integrated; seamless. Interestingly though this decelerated over the course of a two hour dinner. It was explosive out of the gate, then mellowed perfectly, but lost some fruit and oomph and seemed more tannic toward the end. This experience at least suggests the prime drinking window with NO decant is now-2022.
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This is an absolutely stunning wine! Notes of forest floor, Asian spice, plum and scents of a wine cave. Finish is insanely long. This wine clearly has plenty of time to go if you want to leave it in the cellar but it’s lovely now. Decant for a few hours would be my recommendation. Lots of tannin but super balanced and elegant...they do not overpower. I’ve got more bottles of this beauty and I’m sure glad I do.
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Not sure what to make of this yet. My first taste out of the bottle was a bit off, but after a few minutes in the glass it opened up nicely and some of the funk blew off... this clearly needs a bit of air. Made in a more classic style, the nose and finish make me think old Bordeaux, but the California fruit is there.
Showtime! This reminds why Monte Bello is worth the typical 12+ years cellar wait. Deep brooding nose of black cherry, raspberry and spice with a seemingly endless finish. Decant as long as you dare to release the magic therein.
No rush here, easily another decade or two of terrific drinking ahead. If a date, this was a 35 year old Silicon Valley Tech entrepreneur beauty who loves start-ups and dinner conversation as much as the exhilarating naked play afterward.
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Second Sunday Group: Ridge Monte Bello 2005-2012 (Jeff's): Double blind. Quite generic, nondescript. Dark fruit and spice qualities with firm tannins. One is eventually able to coax some ripe jammy fruit out of the glass, and it develops a nice peppery note on the palate but remains quite reserved and unapproachable in comparison to the others in the flight.
My #6, Domino's #5 Group #3, 48 pts
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Quick Note. Tasted at the winery along with the 2006 and 2014 Monte Bello. Seventy percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 percent Merlot, six percent Petit Verdot, and two percent Cabernet Franc. Good color. Nose and palate are still tight. Notes of red plum, cherry, and smoke. Mahogany note too, which I found very appealing and thus preferred over the 2006. Needs a good decanting. Still has more years in the bottle up through 2025.
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Decanted for 3h and sampled throughout. Initially closed and expressing heat and oak, after about an hour blackberry emerged and intensified. The nose has heat, oak, earth, some faint baking spices. On the palate, great attack and intensity, blackberry oak, mineral, acid and tannins. For me this is a bit brash and petulant.
I last tried this wine two years ago and it is surprising how consistent my two notes are. It was brash both times and I don't use that word often in my notes. With a few years more experience I'm no longer sure further time will make this wine more pleasing to my palate.
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Really fabulous. Full, deep. Tannins need more time, but it’s open now. Nose and palate are full of sweet, reddish fruit. Round, but nice acidity and a very long finish. Tasted at Ridge.
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A few years ago this wine was unyielding, but it is beginning to become more expressive, revealing a lovely nose of cassis, wild plum, cedar, spice and rich notes of soil and truffle. On the palate the wine is concentrated and full-bodied, with a virile chassis of ripe, enrobed tannins, bright acidity and terrific length. The way this wine has unfolded, revealing qualities which were imperceptible three years ago, is an object lesson in this bottling’s evolution. 13.4%
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Bought this directly from the winery and have cellared it ever since. Huge, complex nose of cassis, blackberry, earth, spice, oak, eucalyptus and with a bit of heat. Rich, ripe, concentrated, unctous, lush and powerful with sharp acidity and slightly coarse, drying tannins. The level of concentration makes it almost syrupy, but it has so much structure that it is barely noticeable. Flavors, richness, textures and power of a Napa-cab and somehow also with a bit of left bank bordeaux elegance. The slightly rough-edeged finish reminded me of a big shiraz. This is in its drinking window now and no doubt has a very long (25+ years?) life remaining. Wow! 95 for sure, maybe even higher.
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Superb wine. From memory, beautiful balance with painfully long finish. Takes the best elements from Bordeaux but the American oak and fruit profile distinguishes it as Californian. Decanted for 5 hours which left it drinking quite well but another 5-7 years will see a big improvement and it can of course go further than that. That said, as much as I enjoyed this, it was just missing a few elements of complexity to put it in my personal top echelon of wines.
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This felt tight and young despite 11+ years since it hit the bottle. Nose of red currants, smoke and dirt. Lean flavors of cool blue berry, leather and tight, drying tannin. Pepper on the finish but really hampered by those drying tannins.
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Drank this bottle out of magnum a couple of months ago so this note will not render the wine justice. Fruit forward, typical California Cab nose however with much balance and structure. Delicious on the palate with full body and good complexity and length this wine is very exciting. Just at the beginning of it's drinking window this wine will be amazing in another 10 years. Lovely.
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Brought by a friend in the late afternoon, consumed over two days. Pours on the dark side of medium. The nose revolves around a really interesting clove and all-spice, which is uncommon in California cabernet blends. It's red fruit on the nose, but the spices dominate, along with leather and some earth.
On the palate it's balance, but the flavors evolve much like the nose. Clove, all-spice, red fruit, leather, earth and fine grained tannin all dancing together. Expressive but not over-powering. Nuanced but gripping. Softer but compelling.
Very enjoyable and even memorable.
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A real winner. Big sweet black cherry fruit with earthy spices. Wonderful balance. From a mag and drained in what seemed like 10min at Suer Bowl party. Yum
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From magnum. This is an amazing Cali Cab and one that should drink well for 20+ years. Full, layered nose has dried plum, cedar, herbs and tobacco leaf. Palate is young with rich plum and cherry. American oak is still quite prominent but blends right in with the fruit, cedar, tobacco notes. Lots of stuffing and balance.
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Very nice, still pretty young. Chocolate, coffee and earth. Not as overwhelming as most Monte Bellos but still a quite good bottle of wine. A good "food wine" which won't take over the palate.
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Delicious. Dark fruit flavors, great balance, still very lively. Long finish with black currant.
Update: 7/30/21. Similar characteristics as previously noted, but ever richer. More nuanced, too. Upped the score from 94 to 95. This is still great, and if stored well, will last many more years.
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Dark garnet core with some autumn leaves, brick at the edge, opaque. The smells are meat, soy, dark cherry, currants, cedar, and smoke. Tastes are cherry, currants, soy, bacon, black olive, and earthy notes. Delicious with a lengthy finish and solid texture. I would not think of this as New World if tasted blind. Very complex.
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Drop dead gorgeous nose on cedar, berry compote and spice. Very pliant and balanced palate, with the right mix of juiciness and structure. Still primary but not a waste to drink today as it is showing very nicely.
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We splurged and drank the Rudd '08, Opus One '10, Ridge Monte Bello '05 and Don Melchior '10. The Rudd was ultimately determined to be our favorite, full bodied and earthy and rich with flavors and subtle shadings. The Opus One was a close second, filling the palate and showing a grace and elegance befitting its pedigree. The Ridge was the most interesting, more diverse and distinctive that the more traditional cabs. The Don Melchior had the disadvantage of being the first one we opened, so it's a little difficult to compare it to the others at this point.
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This was open and expressive on opening at just above cellar temps but it shut down in about two hours and squeezed out blue fruit and pinched tannin. I think it needs time.
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With L. And D. Worrall. Deep garnet with violet at the edges. Raspberries and cream on the nose. Beautiful wine front-loaded with raspberries. Raspberries throughout, in fact. Vanilla and tasty umami throughout.
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PWTG Ridge Monte Bello tasting, Flight of four vintages: 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006. Groups #1, My #1 Very dark fruited nose, with some coffee grinds and dill. Really deep nose, very luxurious. The palate is rich, complex and in a really good place. There are the beginnings of some secondary aromas and smoothness on the palate, but its still very primary and very well endowed.
this remains a complex, deep, and energetic wine. years of life ahead of it. still quite the tannic spine with prominent oak but with fruit to support it all.
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Medium-dark purple with violet at the edges. Christmas spices and red fruits on the nose. Deep, intense red fruits with white pepper and almost burning tannins that spears into the finish. Seems to have a long life ahead of it; it surprised me that this wasn't more in my taste preference profile.
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Opened to breathe for 1-2h. Regrettably muted, alcohol and oak on the nose, but on the palate there are plenty of black cherries, mineral, tannins, with an acid bite. The tannins give this a round mouthfeel, this is a medium to heavy red with plenty of uhmph, especially with the acid finish. Fairly brash, this needs additional time to mature and develop better manners. Maybe I should have decanted it longer. Tonight with grilled bone-in ribeye and asparagus. Will pump down and try it again tomorrow.
Equally as good on day 2, perhaps greater intensity of mineral and fruit but less complexity.
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Deep beautiful rose red. Deep, beautiful cherries on the nose. Pure, beautiful cherries. Simply gorgeous and piercing - goes through a long finish. Lovely silken tannins, but cherry perfection I the alpha and omega of this wine.
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My first MB with any age on it, and it was still very young. Uncorked at 8am and decanted at 7pm, it still took a few more hours to finally open up. More classic and restrained in style, the last glass offered something for everybody - new world fans and old. A wonderful cabernet that should last many more years.
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For those who think this a Zinfandel dominated blend (as many around the table did), think again. In 2005 the make up was 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. A whole host of aromas and flavours flooded out, including, but not limited to: mocha, vanilla, and black cherry - the wine was well-balanced with great forceful tannins. I had read the wine still had plenty of time but I wanted to have it in its prime rather than cresting the hill. Seemed to be a hit with the prime rib we had for dinner, and then on its own afterward.
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Very good Napa, quite fruit forward with bright dark red fruit, some licorice and lead pencil. Medium plus palate, rounded ripe fruit, long finish with supple tannns, drinking well and can keep.
We decanted this and drank relatively unceremoniously. It came across as a good quality, balanced, not overdone in any way California BDX blend. Not mind blowing or particularly special but a really nice wine. Not a QPR wine but not at all disappointing at the price. Fwiw it drank to my palate better than the particular bottle of Bionic Frog alongside it.
Bright fruit on the mouth with a long and complex finish. Leather, balanced tannins. Enjoyed with a great piece of beef life couldn't be better. The wine looks ruby colored. There is no sediment in the bottle.
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This was an unusual bottle of Ridge Monte Bello in that its fruit was weak and limited. There was little finish. Perhaps this bottle had a cork problem.
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OMG! This was simply spectacular! Huge, opulent and voluptuous but also somewhat elegant. Big, deep, intense, focused flavors of dark berry, black currant, oak, earth and spice. Terrific balance, silky texture and a very long finish. As others have noted, this is very bordeaux-like and about as elegant and refined as a big Calif cab can be. No doubt in the "Top 1-2%" of the California cabs I have ever had (out of 1000+ bottles). 94+
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The most Bordeaux like in style of Californian cabs sav blends. Youthful appearance with precise dark fruit on the nose and palate then a long savoury finish. Excellent and will most likely improve with further age.
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Friends and I had this with grilled tri-tip on 9/14/14. It had a deep, rich and expressive bouquet of cassis, black cherry, cocoa, mocha, old leather, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was rich, smooth and wonderfully well integrated with flavors that followed the nose.
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The most structured and acidic of the three we tried side by side ('01, '05 and '06 - all from 375 ml), this was showing lots of tannin and acid, and really just grumpy for the first hour. Air helped, and it certainly showed breed/class, but really in a do not disturb state now.
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Firsst MB in a long time & I am holding so many just starting to get in a good drinking window. Such a different wine. The nose IS N Cal, it screams it. Beautiful color. Looks forest purple, dusty, rich, complex. I am getting lots forest notes on the nose. Some blood. The palate is mineralally, rustic, red mountain earth. Mineral again, The tannins now creeping in, drawing the fruit out, leaving some strong tea action. The dried fruits fight back, dried herbs, meats. Nice......Does not disappoint. Wow. So unique. The nose is impossible to describe.
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This is finally starting to show some beautiful cherry fruit. Though it is still very dry and has many years of cellar potential, the tannins are more balanced and so much softer than the half-bottle from well over a year ago.
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The Old Man brought to our dinner at Osteria Ottima. Very much in line with previous tastings and the style of Monte Bello. Dark creme de cassis, black cherries, lots of fruit covered tobacco leaves, leather - extremely dark and robust but still well harnessed. Alcohol is in line and the tannins are completely integrated at this stage. It still has many years of holding steady but I would say this is drinking well right now. Great food wine and this was perfect to finish off the night with our chocolate dessert.
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Toasted dark cherries, mocha and liquor. Remarkably well balanced wine for the level of fruit forward quality. Finish lasted nearly a minute. This could easily age another 8-10 years.
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Bachelor Party Dinner at RPM with Brad, Drew and Ed (RPM Italian Chicago): Dark dark black cherries and blackberries. Dark mocha and burnt coffee grounds. Lots of creme de cassis. Classic rich dark Napa Cabernet styling at its best. Great mountain fruit without being too liqueured or out of whack. Big extraction on the palate confirming the black fruit, dark chocolate and touches of old leather saddle. Long finish, moderate high tannin, moderate acidity and in balance alcohol.
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gorgeous. deep garnet in the glass. nose of dark, briary fruit, cedar, pipe tobacco, and roasted herbs. prominent tannin profile which is to be expected but with richness, depth, and complexity of fruit to balance it out. this wine has a long life ahead. enjoyed with friends on our wedding night. spectacular.
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Still deep colour with smoked black and blueberry fruit. A bit thin on the palate especially on the mid at the moment but huge potential. Assume it will fill out.
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An interesting side by side comparison of the 2004 and 2005 Monte Bello this evening. Served blind, I would not be able to tell you that they are the same wine with just one year difference between them. The 05 was much more expressive in terms of overall ripeness on the palate and much more open on the nose as well with the 04 being more restrained and classic in style. If you have both of these wines, enjoy the 05 now and hold the 04 for another 5 years or so as I think that it's going to turn out to be a stellar wine once it has more time to develop. 95 points for the 2004 based on potential. 94 points for the 05 based on how good it is right now.
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Opened, decanted, and tasted over four hours, with food, and then as "dessert." Nice nose of cherry, some cedar and basil. Well integrated package of fruit, cedar, herbal notes and tobacco. Long finish. Quite elegant.
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Johnny's Going Away Dinner (Scoozi, Chicago): Consumed from a magnum at Johnny's going away dinner at Scoozi. Beautiful full leather and classic black cherry. Voluptuous and beautiful mouth feel. Absolutely stunning quality with a royal and elegant style. Nicely harnessed. Timeless wine.
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Ridge Monte Bello Vertical Tasting 1974 - 2008 (Switzerland): Intensive red. Taste of red and black berries. Taste of alcohol, very rich flavors of black currant and concentrated. I would wait for another 5 years and this will be a superb Monte Bello. Currently at 94 Points with upward potential when fully mature. Drink 2018 - 2030
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70% Cab, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cab Franc. Deep purple color with a red fringe. Smells of tobacco, herbs, lavender plus cassis and blackberry. Immediately dry, but mouth coating dark red fruits and cedar. This is a very balanced, complex wine with a very long finish.
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drank alongside 2009 M. Etain which was a fun comparison. the nose on this is mesmerizing: cedar, fruit, herbs, and tobacco. there is still substantial tannin and acid but the fruit is there and is lovely, dark and brooding. i think cabs can grow tiresome with food but this is just singing and keeps me coming back. really a nice pure expression of the dark, briary fruit of the SCM. i will keep buying this as long as they let me.
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Served blind. Clearly a more elegant style than its peers. Dark red color. Lovely nose of more classic tobacco and earth notes, just missing the graphite you find in great Bordeaux, along with plenty of black currant fruit. In the mouth, a beautiful, vigorous wine with wonderful life to it. The fruit hits up front, lighter and with no sense of overripeness, with lovely complex notes of earth, herbs, and tobacco. The acidity is strong, as are the tannins on the back end. Just terrific. A-/A
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Color: dark ruby. Nose: Intense bell pepper, licorice, coffe, cassi. Mouth: Dense, broad tannic wine with dark red fruits and almost crystalized licorice. Long finish. I had trouble taking my nose out the the glass. Best california cab I have had in recent years. Drank side by side with the 2001 which was showing beautifully.
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From a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, this Bordeaux styled expression of California Cabernet Sauvignon is another winner from perhaps one of the most consistent producers in the Golden State. Deep in color, with a nose packed with licorice, coffee, cassis, earth, smoke and spice, it's powerful, full bodied, tannic, concentrated and harmonious. Ridge Monte Bello is a contender for the California Cabernet Sauvignon that demands the most aging before it matures. I'd leave it for at least another 10-15 years if you want to enjoy its display of secondary aromas and textures that accompany old Monte Bello.
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Ridge Vineyards and Monte Bello Masterclass at the Decanter Fine Experience (Landmark Hotel, London): Deep red colour, hints of purple. Nose with ripe dark berries – blackcurrants and some blackberries – slightly flowery with violets, some mint with hints of eucalyptus, hints of sweetness with vanilla. More similar to the 2008 than to the 2006, with less development than the 2006. Full bodied, palate with ripe blackcurrants and some blackberries, very noticeable acidity, noticeable tannins, spice, balanced impression. Young, fresh due to the acidity, will probably require a long time, 93-94+ p?
No signs here of any "dumb phase".
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Decanter Ridge Vineyards Masterclass (Landmark Hotel London): Dark ruby colour. Surprisingly the wine shows more maturity than expected for its age. Along the cassis fruit there are floral nuances of violets, some rubber notes and coconut and vanilla notes which complement the fruit. Still very tannic and quite full bodied, offers aromas of black berries, sweet spice, integrated band-aid aromas, iodine and minerality. This is a wild wine, I suppose not to everyone's liking but there is no denying its complexity, intensity and depth of flavor.
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Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Day Library Tasting: Medium garnet color with cassis, black cherry, and slight cedarwood, and mineral aromas. On the palate, fruity, complex, refined, balanced and a bit light on the back palate with black cherry, cassis and a bit herbal (dill?) flavors. Medium-long finish. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
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Drank slowly over a Sunday afternoon. Can't think of this wine as a Cabernet. The blend takes precedence, affecting my expectations for this wine. Lighter and less fruity, with lots of plums. Acidic aftertaste. Not a lot of depth. Floral nose was more pronounced over time.
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Knockout nose of red plum, violets, and smoke. Good fruit blast up front, with saddle leather and exotic spices on the mid palate. Finish has a little more than medium persistance. Tasted at winery, this showed much better than the 1995, and better than the 07, though that one does show very nice potential.
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Delicious! It came in second in our Judgment of Ballston blind tasting of 12 Left-Bank style reds from the US and France, but it was #1 on my ballot. I was really impressed by this wine. Very expressive killer nose of red/dark fruit and cocoa with a palate that backs it up. I guessed it was from CA and even guessed that it was either Anderson's Conn Valley or Ridge. I also noted that it was the most "expensive-tasting" wine, and it was the most expensive wine in our tasting, at least based on release price. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
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For current enjoyment, I have to rate 89, but potential is definitely 95+. This was a half-bottle that we decanted for 20 minutes. After decanting and being in the glass for some time, I still had to focus hard to get much from the nose. It was very restrained, but gave some mild black licorice, blackberry and currant as well as a raw root vegetable character with some cinnamon. The palate was extremely rich with huge structure, but the acidity was almost masked by the very firm tannins. The existing fruit was tart cherry and plum with underlying cocoa. Certainly an enjoyable bottle, but I think that the acid will hold up the fruit flavors and bring it forward in another year or two and allow the dryness to settle.
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Great fruit up front with a big drying tannic finish. Tasted over two days and while day one was very good day two was a couple of points better. Probably too early to open these now. From a .375.
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Given the high flying expectations of this wine, this is one of the biggest disappointments I can recall. This is my 1st bottle of Ridge Montebello and unless something changes I'm going to be really disappointed that I still have more.
Superb on the nose, its not worth the time to mention what all was there as it delivers nothing of what it advertises. Dense and purple on the pour .. up to this point it has you thinking 'this is gonna be a good one'!!
Alas, comes the tasting. Vinturi pour into decanter for roughly 1 hour. Sour, unripe plums fully qualified to become Sunkist prune juice. All of the qualities of a $10 bottle of Merlot. At this point it was headed for the sink drain but was saved by some wispy promises of cherry-chocolate. Waited another hour and while the prune juiciness didn't subside much at all, it did show a positive point of nicely subdued, integrated tannins but the whole experience was still overpowered by the sour tartness of cheap Merlot.
90 points is stretching it. I'm clearly influenced by "what it should be" somehow convincing me I'm wrong about it .. kinda like my ex explaining how it was that I was wrong all along. If I was rating a cheap bottle of wine that showed the same characteristics I'd give it a 76. I have to join Wine Drinkers Anonymous to get help to admit I paid a crispy c-note for this stuff.
Maybe Laube has this one right and it's just that it's not ready to drink until 2012. At least I can hope for that fairy tale to come true for the rest of what I have, but more likely they'll be Christmas gifts.
The 2005 was also a favorite, with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petite Verdot, and 2% Cab Franc. It had a dusty earth cover, with blueberreis and blackberries, covered with instant coffee. It was a very low yield in 2005, and this wine was muscular and lean.
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Nose - opened up since last time tasting. Smooth, warm, black currant, mango, touch of cedar, hint of pepper. Lovely smoky dried herb quality, restrained black currant and blackberry, smooth/dusty tannin, tangerine zest. Really nice! Drink '20-50.
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Clearly too young to assess properly. Great nose with lots going on (cassis, boysenberry, cedar) and a real richness. Palate didn't provide quite the same level of pleasure (although am sure it will once it enters the drinking window) as was a touch astringent on day one. Decanted for 24hrs and not much had changed other than it softened up a bit and the tannins seemed sweeter.
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Fedway Tasting (The Palace, Somerset, NJ): An intriguing nose that initially smells of olive/faint IBMP, but has an undercurrant of red raspberry jam. In the mouth it is perfectly balanced (Yay paul draper, or whomever made this!!!). With med+ chalky tannins (not green, but similar... and good). Again, way too good to judge under these conditions. At least 87-8, probably in the mid-90's!!!
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California Wine Tour; 8/27/2009-8/30/2009 (Sonoma/Spring Mtn/Napa/Santa Cruz): Very correct about infanticide. too young. One of the few Californian Cabs I tried that showed the graphite grip. ( Pauillac anyone ?) Intense wild berries. Speculating the life span of this wine will be an interesting topic in the future.
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I tasted this at the winery on 7/18/09. It had a wonderful bouquet of cassis, blackberry, cocoa powder, spice, vanilla and toast aromas. The palate was incredibly smooth with velvety tannins and flavors that followed the nose. It needs a lot of time, but is going to be absolutely fabulous.
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decanted 6 hrs; bright black raspberry and black currant; faint barnyard notes blow off quickly; wood lingers in the background; this has that rare combo of big bright fruit and ethereal, light on its feet mouth feel; great balance;
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70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc Stands in stark contrast to the 2006. This really needs to sort itself out as the oak is just way too dominate and the tannins really persnickety. There's some nice boysenberry fruit underneath it all, but right now the wine seems to be fighting with both itself and those drinking it. B+, though I'd like to try another bottle.
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Rich, spicy berry and slighly floral nose. Great blackberry and blackcurrant flavours backed by smoky, meaty notes and a good long finish. Unsurprisingly it's still very primary, showing the most tannins of all, but still very tasty.
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Winery: Tobacco, earth, cassis, classic earthy mineral driven mth; w/slite sour black frt; good bal, concentration; Fine wine. I would not say great for the money.
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Signature Monte Bello nose, with boysenberry, blueberry, Petite Verdot. Smooth blue fruit. Sneak attack from dusty/gritty tannin. Tart and gritty on the finish with a complex spiciness. Seems very closed. (In March this was very fruit forward and showed incredible complexity.) I'd give it 5-7 years for the tannins to settle down, and wait 30 years for it to peak.
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I would agree with Jdunnack and others this is a nice wine that while big and rich, is also impeccably balanced, pure and precise. The nose shows beautiful blackberry and currant aromas mixed with leather, smoke, stone, cigar tobacco with some oak and vanilla notes. The palate is medium to full bodied with beautifully rich fruit, solid structure, outstanding texture and a long finish with medium firm tannins, this will hold for years to come. Purchased at the Waterboy (wine list) in Sacramento, Ca.
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OK, I know this one was going to be young, but this is really, really young. Potential is there - deep red color, brooding red fruit present, but not overwhelming, structured tannins, and a nice finish with just enough acidity. It should get much better - hold.
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Ridge Monte Bello Tasting (The Wine Summit, Lake Louise, Alberta): 70% CS, 22% M, 6% PV and 2% CF – 13.4% ALC. Aged in 94% new air dried American oak barrels, and, for comparison, 6% new French oak barrels. There were 36 separate lots – gentle destemming, which left half as unbroken berries - 17 months in barrel – small amount of first press wine included in the blend. Deep ruby colour; aromas still coming as a young wine – ripe berry fruit and some smoky oak; clean and round on the palate; fine acidity – balances well with the underlying soft tannins; full bodied, with literally a huge dose of fruit and some oak flavours; surprisingly a mellow finish, which is full of sweet berry fruit and a hint of oak in the structure. This wine needs additional time in bottle. I’d suggest another look in 3 years time.
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The Wine Summit at The Post Hotel in Lake Louise Alberta Canada was fortunate to have Mr. Paul Draper as one of the presenters. After taking us all down a brief but interesting trip down memory lane, Mr Draper lead us trough a technical tasting of 8 Monte Bellos covering a range or 23 years. We were done with the barrel tasting and this bottle was very special. The 05 was very dark purple and had some spicy aromas. Draper explained it was 70% cab, 22% merlot, 9% petit verdot and a 13.4% alcohol level. It was a jammy wine. Rich in tannins, but luscious and fruity without it being sweet. Again the berries came through and a little tobacco. This was great and will definitely take some real estate in my cellar.
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Pulled one of a case in the name of science. By no means a painful or wasteful experience. An excellent, well balanced cab in classic MonteBello style.
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Audouzed six hours in advance then decanted an additional 3 hours. Another great young Monte Bello although uncharacteristically a touch oaky here in it's youth. Very Dark, strapping young in color. Aromatically, quite attractive and pleasing and although that hint of oak spice didn't bother me at all (will definitely integrate) it surprised me somewhat as my lengthy experience with Monte Bello has not frequently provided this, maybe because I only occasionally get to them this young. That sweet oak tint follows through on the palate (surprised me even more) but is in balance with the impressive amount of mountain grown cabernet fruit and the oh-so-well integrated tannins. This continued to improve throughout the evening with the finish becoming longer and more sophisticated and the very well integrated tannins somewhat drying on the very back end. Overall, a top vintage of MB and one which should age fabulously for 20+ years.
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Wonderful wine with great potential that is for sure. Dark purple in color with medium-heavy to heavy body. Acidity and fine tight tannin that will provide for a very long cellaring life for sure. Aromas of violets, bay leaf, berries, minerals and some earthiness. On the palate, earth, mineral, currants, bay leaf, tobacco. Very impressive and will be better with some cellaring time. My recommendation is to let this one sit for awhile and get into some of the more approachable and outstanding wines that Ridge makes. In my own opinion, this one will go 40+ years. The winery claims it is a wine that will easily go 50+ years, and given its Bordeaux style as opposed to California style, I would not be at all surprised if it lasts this long. If you have any children born in 2005, this is a definite canditate for one to put away for their 21 st birthday if you choose to do so with a domestic wine. Much more like a Bordeaux then a California wine. 95+ points.
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Very Cabernet nose, blackcurrant with leafy notes. Rich, smooth textured palate. Big tannin but under huge fruit, luscious, essence of Cabernet Sauvignon - pure fruit combined with spice and a subtle herbal streak.
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3/24/2024 - scotty_b wrote: 93 Points
Currant, cassis, cocoa, vanilla, spice and florals. Mouthfeel was delicate and slightly acidic. Good wine, but didn't blow me away given the high price tag.
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2/5/2024 - skurtz Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is noticeably better than my previous bottle from a couple months ago. Gorgeous fragrant nose of fruit compote, tobacco, and vanilla. Red fruit, oak, and well balanced acidity. Overall very lively and youthful. Tannins almost entirely resolved. Enjoyed with filet at Ruth Chris in Long Beach. My last bottle.
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1/5/2024 - finediningnyc Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted 2 hours in advance, 05 Monte Bello is absolutely rocking tonight, intensely aromatic wafting layers of currant, cedar, dark chocolate, baking spices and classy, integrated vanillin oak. It’s both structured and detailed and the palate shows both richness and focus with an elegant texture and fine grained tannins. It’s in an amazing spot but definitely has a long life ahead.
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12/24/2023 - skurtz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lots of oak and hints of tobacco on the nose and palate, even after decanting 4h. The fruit is muted blackberries, tart cherries, there is some tobacco, campfire, and (surprisingly) residual, cheeky tannins too in the acidic finish. Best enjoyed with food, today paired with grilled venison tenderloin. Overall, not much has changed since my last note six years ago. This wine is not really improving with cellaring, if you have more, time to drink up!
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12/15/2023 - Cow Town wrote: 96 Points
Might be the best Monte Bello I have had, and much better than the last two I have had from this vintage. Everything was firing - youthful nose, good color with no bricking, well balanced (nothing out of whack on the nose or finish), and a long, luxurious finish. Everything I am looking for in a wine.
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12/9/2023 - Kevin Mak Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep Purple Colour
Medium (+) Acidity
Medium Tannin
High Alcohol
Full Bodied
Long Finish
Medium (+) Intensity
- Black Cherry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cassis, Liquorice, Vanilla, Mocha, Graphite
Black fruits and sweet spices, coffee and chocolate, not much tertiary flavours, still young may be, well integrated tannins, balanced acidity, ripe and concentrated fruits. A little bit underwhelming at first, showing much more depth and complexity after an hour as it opened up, but still not that "Wow! Holy Shit" kind of wine, not that it's bad at all, it's actually very good and enjoyable, however when you look at the US$300 price tag, there are so many better choices. Drink or hold.
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12/3/2023 - englishman's claret wrote:
Direct, large-scale, black-fruited, quite oaky... we'll see.
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9/8/2023 - Curtis Chen Likes this wine: 95 Points
The Arbour with Your Highness: Wow. Ridge Monte Bello continues to be my favorite domestic red and this bottle reinforced why. Deep, detailed, and defined with lush red fruit, tobacco, slate, and spices. So many layers of concentrated goodness. Old school charm in a new world.
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8/26/2023 - Lipsman wrote: 94 Points
A strong showing for the 2005. Much more approachable than previous tastings. Full of mocha and chocolate flavors with a fresh, tart backing, edging into licorice and earthy notes on the finish. Well crafted, balanced, tannins fully submerged. Decanting helped, but this was rewarding right out of the bottle. This Monte Bello has a long life ahead of it, and while very good now, it's still a few years from mature complexity. Try again in 2028.
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7/12/2023 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 94 Points
My first experience with this beautiful wine. I only got about a glass and a half, as it was shared by a generous friend from a 375ml, but I think I got enough out of it to write some comments. Feels like it has a long way to go yet if you want to sit on it, but doesn't feel like it NEEDS more aging, especially if you're not afraid of a little structure.
Very expressive right out of the gate, charging from the glass with about a 50-50 combo of rich (but surprisingly fresh) purple and black fruit, and a powerful, sweet American oak tone with cedar, vanilla, coconut, etc. Because of this strong American oak note and the still very dense/structured tannins, this almost resembled a great gran reserva Rioja - except with very different fruit, lots of blackberry cobbler and plum reduction, things like that, rather than the dried, sometimes sour fruit of older Rioja. At times the tannins were genuinely challenging, but in the end there was more than enough fruit to stand up to the immense textures.
This was a little more obviously new-world than I expected, in a good way- not at all the kind of classic cab that relies on tart, green, early-picked fruit to achieve a sense of balance, but a beautifully rich profile that's been super dialed-in through extremely mindful work in the vineyard and cellar (I love how it's detailed on the back label!)
Obviously this is pretty expensive and I can't fully comment on the QPR, as it's one of only a handful of wines I've tasted in the general price range. If I had one criticism, it's that I wouldn't call it very...complex, especially with that clear American oak note being so prominent, and not so different than pretty much any other quality wine which uses the stuff. But the amazing fruit itself combined with the use of said oak (each giving the other plenty of room) felt pretty unique, and incredibly engaging. In terms of classic, high-end US cabs I've had slightly better experiences with Dunn Howell Mtn and a Paul Hobbs Las Piedras, although this was right at their heels.
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5/13/2023 - peterk Likes this wine:
Lovely - dense purple, rich fruit, nice tannins, well-integrated. A long way to go yet
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9/21/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Well someone showed up to kick some first growth ass.
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9/18/2022 - PTerzis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good, but not as smooth as 2007 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley
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8/28/2022 - deadwax Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for about 90 minutes and consumed over 2-3 hours. 96 points based on comments of friend visiting. Some initial funk on the nose that blew off. Classic Monte Bello flavors. Still an easy 10 years left.
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3/16/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Beautiful savory perfume. Lean and long. Lots of presence here. Quiet, seren and very long.
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2/23/2022 - ricard Likes this wine: 95 Points
A much more satisfying experience than the horror of last time. A little bit closed, but clean and clear on the nose. Tobacco, wet earth. Smoky, grippy tannins. Still young. Chewy and intense, and astonishing balance and precision. Slate and graphite. Remarkable. Needs 15-20 years, quite frankly. Seems eternal.
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12/17/2021 - MC wrote:
Pretty tight out of the bottle, this needed 2-3 hours to really open up. Dark, ripe fuit, great concentration, long finish with tannins still there for a long life ahead. Nice balance although I think the fruit would give this away as a new world cab in a blind tasting. In a flight with '05 Dominus (which I might have picked as a Bordeax blind) and Montelena, I think in the end this was my favorite (although the Montelena showed better earlier as this one took longer to open up - and in the end the Montelena was still a very strong contender vs. the Monte Bello in my view). Great wine with a long life ahead. A
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11/13/2021 - unc0rked wrote: 94 Points
First time drinking a Ridge MB. Decanted it more than 3 hours. Harmonious. smooth, velvety, with a long sweet finish. Very Bordeaux like. I have heard that MB is a bit different and then I realized why. It is the plum overtones that set this cab blend apart. It is very well done though. I think this wine is at its peak with a very slow downward curve for many years to come. Definitely not a baby unless stored in a larger format bottle. I have another one left!
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11/7/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:
Chas Offlineorama VI, Another embarrassment of riches; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Various locations): Noticeable oak. Forest undergrowth. Plum. Lots of cassis and dark cherry. WAY young. Big tannins/almost silty
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11/7/2021 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Charleston VI; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Charleston, SC (various locations)): Straight up too young so now we're more judging potential than performance. More tannin. Younger. Berries and spices. It starts to open up in the glass and gets better with time. Has a long life ahead.
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10/15/2021 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wonderful Ridge MB. Took at least 3-4 hours to open and really needed more time to open. Wonderful old Bordeaux notes of wooded forest and mild dark fruit. Nose of vanilla and cedar box/pencil shavings. Nice long silky finish.
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7/18/2021 - jamesabdavis Likes this wine:
Such a baby! Still oaky on the nose, although it’s perfectly integrated. Very fragrant and extremely complex. A polished fruit bomb but at the same time so fresh and elegant. I need to stop opening these and forget them for a decade.
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7/16/2021 - unrelenting wrote: 91 Points
End of life. Drink 2 years ago
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7/14/2021 - moxielady wrote: 94 Points
Excellent but still quite young. Recommend decanting.
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6/17/2021 - Jack wrote: 97 Points
Had 2 of these in the last month and will have a hard time keeping my hands off the rest. Drinking well now but no hurry.
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3/27/2021 - Red Sox Fan wrote: 92 Points
Tart and tight, even after a 4 hour decant.
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3/26/2021 - NoTrollingerPlease Likes this wine: 95 Points
Online Blind Tasting: BDX vs Napa plus some Sweets: Tasted blind. Note based on ~ 5cl bottle, filled two days before the tasting.
Glass: Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux
Clear, deep garnet color. Clean, medium intense, developing nose. Warm, fine fruit, a bit of fruits preserved in rum and sugar. Very round and warm.
Dry, high acidity, high, silky tannin. A bit hot. On the palate fine warm red and dark fruit, spices, tobacco. Round, very good balance and elegance. Great texture. Lots of extract, depth and tension. Youthful and vital. Very long finish with fine red fruit, spices and fine tobacco leaves. Potential for at least another decade of improvement. 95+
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2/26/2021 - fredb Likes this wine:
Pop and pour. Dark red color with limited transparency. Strong aroma of currant, sweet tobacco, cedar, and vanilla. Palate still rather tart with currant dominating. Tannins grip the long finish. Structure here still needs cellar time to resolve. Decanting recommended if you drink now. Hold.
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2/7/2021 - martin_e Likes this wine: 95 Points
Showy with aromas of black fruits; the black-fruit theme continues on the palate bringing sweet black plum with perfectly integrated structure and a long finish. Maybe surprisingly, it bears a lot of similarity to great Pomerol (I would probably take It for a Pomerol in blind tasting); but guess the light tobacco notes reveal the Cabernet base
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1/30/2021 - tjshapiro1 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 3 hours. Drank with a Bottle of Monte Bello 1996. There was a distinct difference with the 2005 being more “California Red” than the 1996, which could have easily passed for a French Bordeaux. Both were excellent, but not overwhelming. All of the proper notes were there, but not enough to propel it to amazing.
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12/24/2020 - bjschmitt Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good wine, but expected more. Perhaps it needed more air time.
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12/24/2020 - Al Ehrhardt wrote:
Always loved Monte Bello and used to buy regularly. Rarely buy cabs any more and this was the last vintage I purchased, with one left. Frequently drink a MB at the holidays. Big and young. Ripe black cherries, currants, black plums, maybe a bit too ripe. Licorice, leather, spice. No rush to need to drink these.
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12/6/2020 - Jack wrote: 92 Points
Not as good as previous bottles. Not opened early enough. Needs quite a bit go air.
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10/17/2020 - Traxx Likes this wine:
Drinking really well at the moment. Opened up over 90 mins.
I'm sure these have a long life ahead, but based on this bottle I'd have no reservations opening at this point.
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10/13/2020 - moxielady wrote: 94 Points
Balanced and Smooth, drink now!
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6/9/2020 - guitarguy wrote: 88 Points
This may be more Wine Speculator window, as I found it to be shy, awkward and maybe frozen. Ashy, cool blue fruit tones with a heavy dose of acidity and tannins that dried the palate and kept it from being at the top. I wonder how the Ridge winemakers see it?
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6/8/2020 - KenK Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was singing and opened up more and more as evening progressed. Drink or hold.
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6/6/2020 - Miceri wrote: 97 Points
Dark red; leather, licorice; rich attack, lots of blueberries, blackberries, sweet, intense, deep; masculine compared to Lagrange same year also tasted, Ridge “wins” in my opinion, but close race, aftertaste long, intense, sunny, blackberries
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4/24/2020 - Cow Town Likes this wine: 91 Points
Five years since my last bottle, and I found this in a bit of an awkward stage - a bit tart/acidic, with a clipped finish. Even with several hours in the decanter, the wine didn't fully integrate. WS originally said drink through 2019, but I don't think it is on the decline. I will put the rest away for another five years.
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4/3/2020 - DrBad Likes this wine: 95 Points
Birthday dinner with t-bone steak, roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts, this did not disappoint. Decanted an hour. Tobacco and dried leather aromas. Full bodied and smooth with no hard edges. Dark fruits, dark chocolate, licorice with some lingering black pepper on the finish. Plus tannins still especially towards the end of the bottle thinking this will still get better.
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3/26/2020 - Lipsman wrote: 94 Points
Initially shows a young grapey flavor in this surprising 15 year old Monte Bello. Elegant balance, that Monte Bello earthy beet flavor, plums and cherries, along with supple yet spicy tannins. A wonderfully saturated wine that will cellar for at least another decade. Decanted two hours. With the initial grapey flavor and tannins, this clearly has a long life ahead. Drink now or hold. Just lovely.
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10/12/2019 - jonboy74 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted today after a 2 hr decant. Tannins were still dominant, this one needs at least 5 more years before revisiting. Has potential. It was light, as most MBs ive tried. Should impress in the future
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5/29/2019 - ricard Does not like this wine: 88 Points
A complete disappointment. Oak and toasted coffee beans on the nose. Thick and rich and chocolatey. Like some kind of syrup. Kept sniffing and sipping, looking for more, but could find nothing of interest. Its reputation compels one to seek more interest, fragrance, flavour and beauty, but I found nothing other than a gloopy syrup with too much oak, dry tannin and little to recommend it. Honestly, I try hard to admire Bordeaux and Bordeaux blends, and very occasionally I'm truly wowed, but mostly I'm bored stiff by these wines. This is a particularly egregious example.
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5/29/2019 - MC wrote:
Good ripe dark fruit on nose and palate at open but missing in the middle and tannins showing on the finish. Better with air and at 90 minutes this is very food with food (steak in particular) but I think it may fill out a bit with more time so might give it a few more years. A-/A?
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5/5/2019 - acyso wrote: 93 Points
Vinetasters: Ridge Monte Bello (Skokie, IL): Served double blind from half-bottle. A mild barnyard element on the nose here, with the fruit not as prevalent (it’s hidden under those barnyard notes). There is nonetheless some black fruit here, alongside a fair bit of oak. The palate feels more red-focussed, with a coolness here that makes this relatively refreshing. However, upon retasting, I think the fruit is a little more pruney than I initially noted. Nonetheless, there’s still plenty of oak and fruit tannin remaining. My 6th, group's 5th.
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1/5/2019 - hunter4us wrote:
via chevalier $150 each
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1/1/2019 - t_moderne wrote: 94 Points
Opened, poured into a decanter and served about an hour later with food (roast pork, mashed potatoes, and spinach, in case you were wondering).
Cork broke when opening so I double decanted to remove cork pieces and sediment.
Dark ruby garnet color.
Wonderful nose of ripe plums, and cherries, with a hint of oak and a slight smoky element.
Delicious and deep flavors of dark fruits. Tannins are nicely integrated. The oak notes are slight and add some depth, helping to frame the fruit with some structural support (yes, all carpentry terms intended).
Sufficient acidity to give the wine lift.
Delicious. Not quite a "wow" wine but still outstanding.
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12/30/2018 - sw92130 wrote: 94 Points
Opened a split with our Christmas Eve prime rib. It was very drinkable, a very balanced mixture of fruit and tannin. What a treat!
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12/24/2018 - CGWIND Likes this wine: 96 Points
Textured, layered and subtle. This has plenty of time to develop further. A wonder prime rib accompaniment
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12/24/2018 - davidspieker wrote: 90 Points
Very dark red color. Subtle red and black fruit aromas. Red cherry, earth and leather flavors with a lengthy and satisfying finish. Medium body with good acidity for food.
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12/22/2018 - unrelenting wrote: 91 Points
Fairly unremarkable. Is the drinking window is closing or it's just in a closed period?
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12/8/2018 - Rollerball wrote: 93 Points
Singular persona of smokey berries, black licorice, cool herbs, and medicinal notes. The fruit is so pure here, in both flavor and flowing texture. Everything is integrated; seamless. Interestingly though this decelerated over the course of a two hour dinner. It was explosive out of the gate, then mellowed perfectly, but lost some fruit and oomph and seemed more tannic toward the end. This experience at least suggests the prime drinking window with NO decant is now-2022.
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11/18/2018 - jonleerhp Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is an absolutely stunning wine! Notes of forest floor, Asian spice, plum and scents of a wine cave. Finish is insanely long. This wine clearly has plenty of time to go if you want to leave it in the cellar but it’s lovely now. Decant for a few hours would be my recommendation. Lots of tannin but super balanced and elegant...they do not overpower. I’ve got more bottles of this beauty and I’m sure glad I do.
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11/1/2018 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 94 Points
Not sure what to make of this yet. My first taste out of the bottle was a bit off, but after a few minutes in the glass it opened up nicely and some of the funk blew off... this clearly needs a bit of air. Made in a more classic style, the nose and finish make me think old Bordeaux, but the California fruit is there.
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8/16/2018 - dharrison93 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Showtime! This reminds why Monte Bello is worth the typical 12+ years cellar wait.
Deep brooding nose of black cherry, raspberry and spice with a seemingly endless finish.
Decant as long as you dare to release the magic therein.
No rush here, easily another decade or two of terrific drinking ahead.
If a date, this was a 35 year old Silicon Valley Tech entrepreneur beauty who loves start-ups and dinner conversation as much as the exhilarating naked play afterward.
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5/13/2018 - AllRed wrote: 88 Points
Second Sunday Group: Ridge Monte Bello 2005-2012 (Jeff's): Double blind. Quite generic, nondescript. Dark fruit and spice qualities with firm tannins. One is eventually able to coax some ripe jammy fruit out of the glass, and it develops a nice peppery note on the palate but remains quite reserved and unapproachable in comparison to the others in the flight.
My #6, Domino's #5
Group #3, 48 pts
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3/22/2018 - Padillami Likes this wine:
Very nice classic Monte Bello, still very young. Probably 10 more years.
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3/10/2018 - John Dunlap Likes this wine: 93 Points
Quick Note. Tasted at the winery along with the 2006 and 2014 Monte Bello. Seventy percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 percent Merlot, six percent Petit Verdot, and two percent Cabernet Franc. Good color. Nose and palate are still tight. Notes of red plum, cherry, and smoke. Mahogany note too, which I found very appealing and thus preferred over the 2006. Needs a good decanting. Still has more years in the bottle up through 2025.
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10/27/2017 - skurtz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 3h and sampled throughout. Initially closed and expressing heat and oak, after about an hour blackberry emerged and intensified. The nose has heat, oak, earth, some faint baking spices. On the palate, great attack and intensity, blackberry oak, mineral, acid and tannins. For me this is a bit brash and petulant.
I last tried this wine two years ago and it is surprising how consistent my two notes are. It was brash both times and I don't use that word often in my notes. With a few years more experience I'm no longer sure further time will make this wine more pleasing to my palate.
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10/8/2017 - cos65 Likes this wine:
Tons of funk from a new Coravined bottle
Still young, tannic, but tons of fruit, with a cinnamon spicy finish
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9/30/2017 - ljones Likes this wine: 96 Points
Really fabulous. Full, deep. Tannins need more time, but it’s open now. Nose and palate are full of sweet, reddish fruit. Round, but nice acidity and a very long finish.
Tasted at Ridge.
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9/21/2017 - europat55 wrote: 91 Points
Nose: A- Palate: B++
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8/6/2017 - ews3 wrote: 94 Points
California Vacation (Sonoma, SF, Monterey); 8/5/2017-8/12/2017: Tasted at winery. Such a contrast with the 2003. Still so youthful. Really dark fruit with some graphite, cigar smoke, and a savory meatiness. Long finish and great depth.
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6/27/2017 - William Kelley Likes this wine: 95 Points
A few years ago this wine was unyielding, but it is beginning to become more expressive, revealing a lovely nose of cassis, wild plum, cedar, spice and rich notes of soil and truffle. On the palate the wine is concentrated and full-bodied, with a virile chassis of ripe, enrobed tannins, bright acidity and terrific length. The way this wine has unfolded, revealing qualities which were imperceptible three years ago, is an object lesson in this bottling’s evolution. 13.4%
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5/13/2017 - rickspicks wrote: 95 Points
Bought this directly from the winery and have cellared it ever since. Huge, complex nose of cassis, blackberry, earth, spice, oak, eucalyptus and with a bit of heat. Rich, ripe, concentrated, unctous, lush and powerful with sharp acidity and slightly coarse, drying tannins. The level of concentration makes it almost syrupy, but it has so much structure that it is barely noticeable. Flavors, richness, textures and power of a Napa-cab and somehow also with a bit of left bank bordeaux elegance. The slightly rough-edeged finish reminded me of a big shiraz. This is in its drinking window now and no doubt has a very long (25+ years?) life remaining. Wow! 95 for sure, maybe even higher.
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5/3/2017 - Jack wrote: 97 Points
Absolutely beautiful. From .375.
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4/26/2017 - OmiyaDrinker wrote: 94 Points
Superb wine. From memory, beautiful balance with painfully long finish. Takes the best elements from Bordeaux but the American oak and fruit profile distinguishes it as Californian. Decanted for 5 hours which left it drinking quite well but another 5-7 years will see a big improvement and it can of course go further than that. That said, as much as I enjoyed this, it was just missing a few elements of complexity to put it in my personal top echelon of wines.
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3/29/2017 - guitarguy wrote: 89 Points
This felt tight and young despite 11+ years since it hit the bottle. Nose of red currants, smoke and dirt. Lean flavors of cool blue berry, leather and tight, drying tannin. Pepper on the finish but really hampered by those drying tannins.
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3/14/2017 - the player Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank this bottle out of magnum a couple of months ago so this note will not render the wine justice. Fruit forward, typical California Cab nose however with much balance and structure. Delicious on the palate with full body and good complexity and length this wine is very exciting. Just at the beginning of it's drinking window this wine will be amazing in another 10 years. Lovely.
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3/10/2017 - WineGold Likes this wine: 94 Points
Brought by a friend in the late afternoon, consumed over two days. Pours on the dark side of medium. The nose revolves around a really interesting clove and all-spice, which is uncommon in California cabernet blends. It's red fruit on the nose, but the spices dominate, along with leather and some earth.
On the palate it's balance, but the flavors evolve much like the nose. Clove, all-spice, red fruit, leather, earth and fine grained tannin all dancing together. Expressive but not over-powering. Nuanced but gripping. Softer but compelling.
Very enjoyable and even memorable.
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2/6/2017 - KenK wrote: 95 Points
A real winner. Big sweet black cherry fruit with earthy spices. Wonderful balance. From a mag and drained in what seemed like 10min at Suer Bowl party. Yum
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2/5/2017 - Nanda wrote: 95 Points
From magnum. This is an amazing Cali Cab and one that should drink well for 20+ years. Full, layered nose has dried plum, cedar, herbs and tobacco leaf. Palate is young with rich plum and cherry. American oak is still quite prominent but blends right in with the fruit, cedar, tobacco notes. Lots of stuffing and balance.
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2/5/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
Good Wine with an Exciting Super Bowl (Chez Kailin - Northbrook IL): Small glass, brief note. From magnum. Black fruit with great concentration. Still lots of structure. so I think this has upside as it softens. My favorite amongst tonight's Cabernet-based wines.
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12/30/2016 - twoamps Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice, still pretty young. Chocolate, coffee and earth. Not as overwhelming as most Monte Bellos but still a quite good bottle of wine. A good "food wine" which won't take over the palate.
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12/24/2016 - BGK810 wrote: 95 Points
Delicious. Dark fruit flavors, great balance, still very lively. Long finish with black currant.
Update: 7/30/21. Similar characteristics as previously noted, but ever richer. More nuanced, too. Upped the score from 94 to 95. This is still great, and if stored well, will last many more years.
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12/10/2016 - hackey37 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark garnet core with some autumn leaves, brick at the edge, opaque. The smells are meat, soy, dark cherry, currants, cedar, and smoke. Tastes are cherry, currants, soy, bacon, black olive, and earthy notes. Delicious with a lengthy finish and solid texture. I would not think of this as New World if tasted blind. Very complex.
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10/9/2016 - llink wrote: 94 Points
Drop dead gorgeous nose on cedar, berry compote and spice. Very pliant and balanced palate, with the right mix of juiciness and structure. Still primary but not a waste to drink today as it is showing very nicely.
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10/8/2016 - iwadasn wrote: 96 Points
We splurged and drank the Rudd '08, Opus One '10, Ridge Monte Bello '05 and Don Melchior '10. The Rudd was ultimately determined to be our favorite, full bodied and earthy and rich with flavors and subtle shadings. The Opus One was a close second, filling the palate and showing a grace and elegance befitting its pedigree. The Ridge was the most interesting, more diverse and distinctive that the more traditional cabs. The Don Melchior had the disadvantage of being the first one we opened, so it's a little difficult to compare it to the others at this point.
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9/15/2016 - guitarguy wrote: 89 Points
This was open and expressive on opening at just above cellar temps but it shut down in about two hours and squeezed out blue fruit and pinched tannin. I think it needs time.
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8/20/2016 - milwaukeewino wrote: 100 Points
Amazing, but needs AT LEAST ten more years.
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8/6/2016 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 93 Points
With L. And D. Worrall. Deep garnet with violet at the edges. Raspberries and cream on the nose. Beautiful wine front-loaded with raspberries. Raspberries throughout, in fact. Vanilla and tasty umami throughout.
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5/24/2016 - RayOB wrote: 89 Points
Rich fruity nose with a slight metallic aftertaste.
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5/15/2016 - llink wrote: 93 Points
PWTG Ridge Monte Bello tasting, Flight of four vintages: 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006. Groups #1, My #1
Very dark fruited nose, with some coffee grinds and dill. Really deep nose, very luxurious. The palate is rich, complex and in a really good place. There are the beginnings of some secondary aromas and smoothness on the palate, but its still very primary and very well endowed.
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5/8/2016 - kthornton78 Likes this wine:
this remains a complex, deep, and energetic wine. years of life ahead of it. still quite the tannic spine with prominent oak but with fruit to support it all.
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3/5/2016 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium-dark purple with violet at the edges. Christmas spices and red fruits on the nose. Deep, intense red fruits with white pepper and almost burning tannins that spears into the finish. Seems to have a long life ahead of it; it surprised me that this wasn't more in my taste preference profile.
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2/13/2016 - moxielady wrote: 92 Points
Very drinkable now. Dark fruit, smooth tannins, light acid
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12/27/2015 - skurtz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened to breathe for 1-2h. Regrettably muted, alcohol and oak on the nose, but on the palate there are plenty of black cherries, mineral, tannins, with an acid bite. The tannins give this a round mouthfeel, this is a medium to heavy red with plenty of uhmph, especially with the acid finish. Fairly brash, this needs additional time to mature and develop better manners. Maybe I should have decanted it longer. Tonight with grilled bone-in ribeye and asparagus. Will pump down and try it again tomorrow.
Equally as good on day 2, perhaps greater intensity of mineral and fruit but less complexity.
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8/16/2015 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep beautiful rose red. Deep, beautiful cherries on the nose. Pure, beautiful cherries. Simply gorgeous and piercing - goes through a long finish. Lovely silken tannins, but cherry perfection I the alpha and omega of this wine.
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6/22/2015 - Cow Town Likes this wine: 94 Points
My first MB with any age on it, and it was still very young. Uncorked at 8am and decanted at 7pm, it still took a few more hours to finally open up. More classic and restrained in style, the last glass offered something for everybody - new world fans and old. A wonderful cabernet that should last many more years.
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3/7/2015 - dinwiddie wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for an hour, could have used a few more.
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2/9/2015 - owr Likes this wine: 92 Points
For those who think this a Zinfandel dominated blend (as many around the table did), think again. In 2005 the make up was 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. A whole host of aromas and flavours flooded out, including, but not limited to: mocha, vanilla, and black cherry - the wine was well-balanced with great forceful tannins. I had read the wine still had plenty of time but I wanted to have it in its prime rather than cresting the hill. Seemed to be a hit with the prime rib we had for dinner, and then on its own afterward.
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1/31/2015 - Pacalet Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very good Napa, quite fruit forward with bright dark red fruit, some licorice and lead pencil. Medium plus palate, rounded ripe fruit, long finish with supple tannns, drinking well and can keep.
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1/24/2015 - hankj wrote: 92 Points
We decanted this and drank relatively unceremoniously. It came across as a good quality, balanced, not overdone in any way California BDX blend. Not mind blowing or particularly special but a really nice wine. Not a QPR wine but not at all disappointing at the price. Fwiw it drank to my palate better than the particular bottle of Bionic Frog alongside it.
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1/11/2015 - rwerner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bright fruit on the mouth with a long and complex finish. Leather, balanced tannins. Enjoyed with a great piece of beef life couldn't be better.
The wine looks ruby colored. There is no sediment in the bottle.
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11/23/2014 - jmottern Likes this wine: 78 Points
This was an unusual bottle of Ridge Monte Bello in that its fruit was weak and limited. There was little finish. Perhaps this bottle had a cork problem.
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11/22/2014 - rickspicks wrote: 94 Points
OMG! This was simply spectacular! Huge, opulent and voluptuous but also somewhat elegant. Big, deep, intense, focused flavors of dark berry, black currant, oak, earth and spice. Terrific balance, silky texture and a very long finish. As others have noted, this is very bordeaux-like and about as elegant and refined as a big Calif cab can be. No doubt in the "Top 1-2%" of the California cabs I have ever had (out of 1000+ bottles). 94+
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9/27/2014 - jamie24 Likes this wine: 94 Points
The most Bordeaux like in style of Californian cabs sav blends. Youthful appearance with precise dark fruit on the nose and palate then a long savoury finish. Excellent and will most likely improve with further age.
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9/14/2014 - garambler Likes this wine: 94 Points
Friends and I had this with grilled tri-tip on 9/14/14. It had a deep, rich and expressive bouquet of cassis, black cherry, cocoa, mocha, old leather, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was rich, smooth and wonderfully well integrated with flavors that followed the nose.
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8/23/2014 - Rieslingfan Likes this wine:
The most structured and acidic of the three we tried side by side ('01, '05 and '06 - all from 375 ml), this was showing lots of tannin and acid, and really just grumpy for the first hour. Air helped, and it certainly showed breed/class, but really in a do not disturb state now.
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5/21/2014 - tplskylrk wrote:
Firsst MB in a long time & I am holding so many just starting to get in a good drinking window. Such a different wine. The nose IS N Cal, it screams it. Beautiful color. Looks forest purple, dusty, rich, complex. I am getting lots forest notes on the nose. Some blood. The palate is mineralally, rustic, red mountain earth. Mineral again, The tannins now creeping in, drawing the fruit out, leaving some strong tea action. The dried fruits fight back, dried herbs, meats. Nice......Does not disappoint. Wow. So unique. The nose is impossible to describe.
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2/16/2014 - Dive Shark wrote: 94 Points
This is finally starting to show some beautiful cherry fruit. Though it is still very dry and has many years of cellar potential, the tannins are more balanced and so much softer than the half-bottle from well over a year ago.
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1/22/2014 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
The Old Man brought to our dinner at Osteria Ottima.
Very much in line with previous tastings and the style of Monte Bello.
Dark creme de cassis, black cherries, lots of fruit covered tobacco leaves, leather - extremely dark and robust but still well harnessed.
Alcohol is in line and the tannins are completely integrated at this stage. It still has many years of holding steady but I would say this is drinking well right now.
Great food wine and this was perfect to finish off the night with our chocolate dessert.
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12/25/2013 - bwaverley wrote: 93 Points
Toasted dark cherries, mocha and liquor. Remarkably well balanced wine for the level of fruit forward quality. Finish lasted nearly a minute. This could easily age another 8-10 years.
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10/11/2013 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
Bachelor Party Dinner at RPM with Brad, Drew and Ed (RPM Italian Chicago): Dark dark black cherries and blackberries. Dark mocha and burnt coffee grounds. Lots of creme de cassis.
Classic rich dark Napa Cabernet styling at its best. Great mountain fruit without being too liqueured or out of whack.
Big extraction on the palate confirming the black fruit, dark chocolate and touches of old leather saddle.
Long finish, moderate high tannin, moderate acidity and in balance alcohol.
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9/20/2013 - kthornton78 Likes this wine:
gorgeous. deep garnet in the glass. nose of dark, briary fruit, cedar, pipe tobacco, and roasted herbs. prominent tannin profile which is to be expected but with richness, depth, and complexity of fruit to balance it out. this wine has a long life ahead. enjoyed with friends on our wedding night. spectacular.
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9/6/2013 - DonalOB wrote: 94 Points
Still deep colour with smoked black and blueberry fruit. A bit thin on the palate especially on the mid at the moment but huge potential. Assume it will fill out.
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5/19/2013 - ghobby wrote: 96 Points
Outstanding, one of the best I have had. Complex fruit, long finish.
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5/6/2013 - Rob MacKay wrote: 94 Points
An interesting side by side comparison of the 2004 and 2005 Monte Bello this evening. Served blind, I would not be able to tell you that they are the same wine with just one year difference between them. The 05 was much more expressive in terms of overall ripeness on the palate and much more open on the nose as well with the 04 being more restrained and classic in style. If you have both of these wines, enjoy the 05 now and hold the 04 for another 5 years or so as I think that it's going to turn out to be a stellar wine once it has more time to develop. 95 points for the 2004 based on potential. 94 points for the 05 based on how good it is right now.
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12/19/2012 - endodon Likes this wine: 98 Points
Phenomenal wine. A truly Bordeaux style American Wine.
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11/12/2012 - bkeane wrote: 93 Points
Nose and taste reminds me of a bordeaux. Powerful fruit.Will benefit from more aging. Delightful bottle of wine enjoyed with a rack of lamb.
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11/11/2012 - abone wrote: 92 Points
Good balance of fruit. Shared with friends and drank with beef. Excellent choice. Finish, at first seemed musty but with food that disappeared.
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10/21/2012 - t_moderne wrote: 92 Points
Opened, decanted, and tasted over four hours, with food, and then as "dessert."
Nice nose of cherry, some cedar and basil. Well integrated package of fruit, cedar, herbal notes and tobacco. Long finish. Quite elegant.
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10/19/2012 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
Johnny's Going Away Dinner (Scoozi, Chicago): Consumed from a magnum at Johnny's going away dinner at Scoozi.
Beautiful full leather and classic black cherry. Voluptuous and beautiful mouth feel.
Absolutely stunning quality with a royal and elegant style.
Nicely harnessed. Timeless wine.
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9/29/2012 - Wine_lvr wrote: 94 Points
Ridge Monte Bello Vertical Tasting 1974 - 2008 (Switzerland): Intensive red. Taste of red and black berries. Taste of alcohol, very rich flavors of black currant and concentrated. I would wait for another 5 years and this will be a superb Monte Bello. Currently at 94 Points with upward potential when fully mature. Drink 2018 - 2030
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6/25/2012 - Winestein wrote: 91 Points
Dark crimson. Dark red fruits. Soft tannins and medium alcohol. Good length.
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6/18/2012 - vy#10 wrote: 93 Points
Tons of fruit, well-integrated oak, structure and balance. Needs resting time!
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6/17/2012 - td1836 wrote: 95 Points
70% Cab, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cab Franc. Deep purple color with a red fringe. Smells of tobacco, herbs, lavender plus cassis and blackberry. Immediately dry, but mouth coating dark red fruits and cedar. This is a very balanced, complex wine with a very long finish.
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5/25/2012 - kthornton78 wrote: 94 Points
drank alongside 2009 M. Etain which was a fun comparison. the nose on this is mesmerizing: cedar, fruit, herbs, and tobacco. there is still substantial tannin and acid but the fruit is there and is lovely, dark and brooding. i think cabs can grow tiresome with food but this is just singing and keeps me coming back. really a nice pure expression of the dark, briary fruit of the SCM. i will keep buying this as long as they let me.
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5/16/2012 - gutt22 wrote:
Served blind. Clearly a more elegant style than its peers. Dark red color. Lovely nose of more classic tobacco and earth notes, just missing the graphite you find in great Bordeaux, along with plenty of black currant fruit. In the mouth, a beautiful, vigorous wine with wonderful life to it. The fruit hits up front, lighter and with no sense of overripeness, with lovely complex notes of earth, herbs, and tobacco. The acidity is strong, as are the tannins on the back end. Just terrific. A-/A
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5/9/2012 - short and confused wrote: 95 Points
Color: dark ruby. Nose: Intense bell pepper, licorice, coffe, cassi. Mouth: Dense, broad tannic wine with dark red fruits and almost crystalized licorice. Long finish. I had trouble taking my nose out the the glass. Best california cab I have had in recent years. Drank side by side with the 2001 which was showing beautifully.
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12/3/2011 - fournet wrote: 87 Points
Too much heat, especially on the finish; alcohol was overpower, even with a 3 hour decant; definitely new world
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11/26/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
From a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, this Bordeaux styled expression of California Cabernet Sauvignon is another winner from perhaps one of the most consistent producers in the Golden State. Deep in color, with a nose packed with licorice, coffee, cassis, earth, smoke and spice, it's powerful, full bodied, tannic, concentrated and harmonious. Ridge Monte Bello is a contender for the California Cabernet Sauvignon that demands the most aging before it matures. I'd leave it for at least another 10-15 years if you want to enjoy its display of secondary aromas and textures that accompany old Monte Bello.
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11/19/2011 - Vintomas wrote: 94 Points
Ridge Vineyards and Monte Bello Masterclass at the Decanter Fine Experience (Landmark Hotel, London): Deep red colour, hints of purple.
Nose with ripe dark berries – blackcurrants and some blackberries – slightly flowery with violets, some mint with hints of eucalyptus, hints of sweetness with vanilla. More similar to the 2008 than to the 2006, with less development than the 2006.
Full bodied, palate with ripe blackcurrants and some blackberries, very noticeable acidity, noticeable tannins, spice, balanced impression.
Young, fresh due to the acidity, will probably require a long time, 93-94+ p?
No signs here of any "dumb phase".
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11/19/2011 - Stefanos T. wrote: 93 Points
Decanter Ridge Vineyards Masterclass (Landmark Hotel London): Dark ruby colour. Surprisingly the wine shows more maturity than expected for its age. Along the cassis fruit there are floral nuances of violets, some rubber notes and coconut and vanilla notes which complement the fruit. Still very tannic and quite full bodied, offers aromas of black berries, sweet spice, integrated band-aid aromas, iodine and minerality. This is a wild wine, I suppose not to everyone's liking but there is no denying its complexity, intensity and depth of flavor.
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10/9/2011 - twoamps wrote: 89 Points
nice cab but not a blockbuster. Holding up well.
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9/1/2011 - Martin Redmond wrote: 92 Points
Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Day Library Tasting: Medium garnet color with cassis, black cherry, and slight cedarwood, and mineral aromas. On the palate, fruity, complex, refined, balanced and a bit light on the back palate with black cherry, cassis and a bit herbal (dill?) flavors. Medium-long finish. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
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7/10/2011 - iwadasn wrote: 88 Points
Drank slowly over a Sunday afternoon. Can't think of this wine as a Cabernet. The blend takes precedence, affecting my expectations for this wine. Lighter and less fruity, with lots of plums. Acidic aftertaste. Not a lot of depth. Floral nose was more pronounced over time.
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6/3/2011 - Diane (LI) wrote:
You know everything is there, but it is hiding behind tannins and oak. Not a good time to be opening this wine.
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5/29/2011 - Robert Pavlovich wrote: 95 Points
Knockout nose of red plum, violets, and smoke. Good fruit blast up front, with saddle leather and exotic spices on the mid palate. Finish has a little more than medium persistance. Tasted at winery, this showed much better than the 1995, and better than the 07, though that one does show very nice potential.
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5/22/2011 - Sijan wrote: 93 Points
Delicious! It came in second in our Judgment of Ballston blind tasting of 12 Left-Bank style reds from the US and France, but it was #1 on my ballot. I was really impressed by this wine. Very expressive killer nose of red/dark fruit and cocoa with a palate that backs it up. I guessed it was from CA and even guessed that it was either Anderson's Conn Valley or Ridge. I also noted that it was the most "expensive-tasting" wine, and it was the most expensive wine in our tasting, at least based on release price. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
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4/12/2011 - Dive Shark wrote: 89 Points
For current enjoyment, I have to rate 89, but potential is definitely 95+. This was a half-bottle that we decanted for 20 minutes. After decanting and being in the glass for some time, I still had to focus hard to get much from the nose. It was very restrained, but gave some mild black licorice, blackberry and currant as well as a raw root vegetable character with some cinnamon. The palate was extremely rich with huge structure, but the acidity was almost masked by the very firm tannins. The existing fruit was tart cherry and plum with underlying cocoa. Certainly an enjoyable bottle, but I think that the acid will hold up the fruit flavors and bring it forward in another year or two and allow the dryness to settle.
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2/28/2011 - Porchino wrote: 91 Points
Started very strong but got weaker with each sip
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12/29/2010 - Jack wrote: 95 Points
Great fruit up front with a big drying tannic finish. Tasted over two days and while day one was very good day two was a couple of points better. Probably too early to open these now. From a .375.
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11/27/2010 - calicabnut wrote: 90 Points
Given the high flying expectations of this wine, this is one of the biggest disappointments I can recall. This is my 1st bottle of Ridge Montebello and unless something changes I'm going to be really disappointed that I still have more.
Superb on the nose, its not worth the time to mention what all was there as it delivers nothing of what it advertises. Dense and purple on the pour .. up to this point it has you thinking 'this is gonna be a good one'!!
Alas, comes the tasting. Vinturi pour into decanter for roughly 1 hour. Sour, unripe plums fully qualified to become Sunkist prune juice. All of the qualities of a $10 bottle of Merlot. At this point it was headed for the sink drain but was saved by some wispy promises of cherry-chocolate. Waited another hour and while the prune juiciness didn't subside much at all, it did show a positive point of nicely subdued, integrated tannins but the whole experience was still overpowered by the sour tartness of cheap Merlot.
90 points is stretching it. I'm clearly influenced by "what it should be" somehow convincing me I'm wrong about it .. kinda like my ex explaining how it was that I was wrong all along. If I was rating a cheap bottle of wine that showed the same characteristics I'd give it a 76. I have to join Wine Drinkers Anonymous to get help to admit I paid a crispy c-note for this stuff.
Maybe Laube has this one right and it's just that it's not ready to drink until 2012. At least I can hope for that fairy tale to come true for the rest of what I have, but more likely they'll be Christmas gifts.
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3/29/2010 - xtian Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted 2 hours and enjoyed with hearty Italian fare. Was fantastic-rich, deep, brooding--and continued to wow us throughout the evening.
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3/20/2010 - winebratsf wrote:
The 2005 was also a favorite, with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petite Verdot, and 2% Cab Franc. It had a dusty earth cover, with blueberreis and blackberries, covered with instant coffee. It was a very low yield in 2005, and this wine was muscular and lean.
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3/18/2010 - yhn wrote: 96 Points
Nose - opened up since last time tasting. Smooth, warm, black currant, mango, touch of cedar, hint of pepper.
Lovely smoky dried herb quality, restrained black currant and blackberry, smooth/dusty tannin, tangerine zest. Really nice! Drink '20-50.
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12/31/2009 - GraemeBell wrote: 94 Points
Clearly too young to assess properly. Great nose with lots going on (cassis, boysenberry, cedar) and a real richness. Palate didn't provide quite the same level of pleasure (although am sure it will once it enters the drinking window) as was a touch astringent on day one. Decanted for 24hrs and not much had changed other than it softened up a bit and the tannins seemed sweeter.
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9/23/2009 - RajivAyyangar wrote:
Fedway Tasting (The Palace, Somerset, NJ): An intriguing nose that initially smells of olive/faint IBMP, but has an undercurrant of red raspberry jam. In the mouth it is perfectly balanced (Yay paul draper, or whomever made this!!!). With med+ chalky tannins (not green, but similar... and good). Again, way too good to judge under these conditions. At least 87-8, probably in the mid-90's!!!
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8/30/2009 - LelouchViBritannia wrote: 96 Points
California Wine Tour; 8/27/2009-8/30/2009 (Sonoma/Spring Mtn/Napa/Santa Cruz): Very correct about infanticide. too young. One of the few Californian Cabs I tried that showed the graphite grip. ( Pauillac anyone ?) Intense wild berries. Speculating the life span of this wine will be an interesting topic in the future.
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7/29/2009 - garambler wrote: 94 Points
I tasted this at the winery on 7/18/09. It had a wonderful bouquet of cassis, blackberry, cocoa powder, spice, vanilla and toast aromas. The palate was incredibly smooth with velvety tannins and flavors that followed the nose. It needs a lot of time, but is going to be absolutely fabulous.
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7/24/2009 - wabi47 wrote: 95 Points
decanted 6 hrs; bright black raspberry and black currant; faint barnyard notes blow off quickly; wood lingers in the background; this has that rare combo of big bright fruit and ethereal, light on its feet mouth feel; great balance;
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6/13/2009 - BradKNYC wrote:
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Stands in stark contrast to the 2006. This really needs to sort itself out as the oak is just way too dominate and the tannins really persnickety. There's some nice boysenberry fruit underneath it all, but right now the wine seems to be fighting with both itself and those drinking it. B+, though I'd like to try another bottle.
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5/17/2009 - yhn wrote: 94 Points
Nose - tight, black fruit, sandalwood, mint.
Dusty, intense black currant, firm, good acid, black plum, hint of lemon zest. Give it 20+ yrs.
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5/17/2009 - davetong wrote: 93 Points
Rich, spicy berry and slighly floral nose. Great blackberry and blackcurrant flavours backed by smoky, meaty notes and a good long finish. Unsurprisingly it's still very primary, showing the most tannins of all, but still very tasty.
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4/19/2009 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Winery: Tobacco, earth, cassis, classic earthy mineral driven mth; w/slite sour black frt; good bal, concentration; Fine wine. I would not say great for the money.
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9/23/2008 - yhn wrote: 95 Points
Signature Monte Bello nose, with boysenberry, blueberry, Petite Verdot.
Smooth blue fruit. Sneak attack from dusty/gritty tannin. Tart and gritty on the finish with a complex spiciness. Seems very closed. (In March this was very fruit forward and showed incredible complexity.) I'd give it 5-7 years for the tannins to settle down, and wait 30 years for it to peak.
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9/10/2008 - darrel_f wrote: 92 Points
I would agree with Jdunnack and others this is a nice wine that while big and rich, is also impeccably balanced, pure and precise. The nose shows beautiful blackberry and currant aromas mixed with leather, smoke, stone, cigar tobacco with some oak and vanilla notes. The palate is medium to full bodied with beautifully rich fruit, solid structure, outstanding texture and a long finish with medium firm tannins, this will hold for years to come. Purchased at the Waterboy (wine list) in Sacramento, Ca.
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6/28/2008 - win wrote: 91 Points
OK, I know this one was going to be young, but this is really, really young. Potential is there - deep red color, brooding red fruit present, but not overwhelming, structured tannins, and a nice finish with just enough acidity. It should get much better - hold.
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5/30/2008 - Hank Gillespie wrote:
Ridge Monte Bello Tasting (The Wine Summit, Lake Louise, Alberta): 70% CS, 22% M, 6% PV and 2% CF – 13.4% ALC.
Aged in 94% new air dried American oak barrels, and, for comparison, 6% new French oak barrels. There were 36 separate lots – gentle destemming, which left half as unbroken berries - 17 months in barrel – small amount of first press wine included in the blend.
Deep ruby colour; aromas still coming as a young wine – ripe berry fruit and some smoky oak; clean and round on the palate; fine acidity – balances well with the underlying soft tannins; full bodied, with literally a huge dose of fruit and some oak flavours; surprisingly a mellow finish, which is full of sweet berry fruit and a hint of oak in the structure. This wine needs additional time in bottle. I’d suggest another look in 3 years time.
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5/30/2008 - ewineguy wrote: 94 Points
The Wine Summit at The Post Hotel in Lake Louise Alberta Canada was fortunate to have Mr. Paul Draper as one of the presenters. After taking us all down a brief but interesting trip down memory lane, Mr Draper lead us trough a technical tasting of 8 Monte Bellos covering a range or 23 years. We were done with the barrel tasting and this bottle was very special. The 05 was very dark purple and had some spicy aromas. Draper explained it was 70% cab, 22% merlot, 9% petit verdot and a 13.4% alcohol level. It was a jammy wine. Rich in tannins, but luscious and fruity without it being sweet. Again the berries came through and a little tobacco. This was great and will definitely take some real estate in my cellar.
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5/10/2008 - twoamps wrote: 88 Points
sort of lightweight for a monte bello. Certainly not a blockbuster. very french.
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4/20/2008 - jerhardt wrote: 93 Points
Pulled one of a case in the name of science. By no means a painful or wasteful experience. An excellent, well balanced cab in classic MonteBello style.
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3/31/2008 - Sky King wrote: 92 Points
Audouzed six hours in advance then decanted an additional 3 hours. Another great young Monte Bello although uncharacteristically a touch oaky here in it's youth. Very Dark, strapping young in color. Aromatically, quite attractive and pleasing and although that hint of oak spice didn't bother me at all (will definitely integrate) it surprised me somewhat as my lengthy experience with Monte Bello has not frequently provided this, maybe because I only occasionally get to them this young. That sweet oak tint follows through on the palate (surprised me even more) but is in balance with the impressive amount of mountain grown cabernet fruit and the oh-so-well integrated tannins. This continued to improve throughout the evening with the finish becoming longer and more sophisticated and the very well integrated tannins somewhat drying on the very back end. Overall, a top vintage of MB and one which should age fabulously for 20+ years.
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3/23/2008 - Jack wrote: 92 Points
From .375. Very simple when opened. Gained quite a bit of structure with an hour of air. Tannin is so sweet you can barely tell it's there. 92+
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3/8/2008 - Renegade wrote: 95 Points
Wonderful wine with great potential that is for sure. Dark purple in color with medium-heavy to heavy body. Acidity and fine tight tannin that will provide for a very long cellaring life for sure. Aromas of violets, bay leaf, berries, minerals and some earthiness. On the palate, earth, mineral, currants, bay leaf, tobacco. Very impressive and will be better with some cellaring time. My recommendation is to let this one sit for awhile and get into some of the more approachable and outstanding wines that Ridge makes. In my own opinion, this one will go 40+ years. The winery claims it is a wine that will easily go 50+ years, and given its Bordeaux style as opposed to California style, I would not be at all surprised if it lasts this long. If you have any children born in 2005, this is a definite canditate for one to put away for their 21 st birthday if you choose to do so with a domestic wine. Much more like a Bordeaux then a California wine. 95+ points.
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11/19/2006 - TGHaddon wrote:
Very Cabernet nose, blackcurrant with leafy notes. Rich, smooth textured palate. Big tannin but under huge fruit, luscious, essence of Cabernet Sauvignon - pure fruit combined with spice and a subtle herbal streak.
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