Decanted and followed over 2 hours. This had a magnificent bouquet of exotic Asian spicebox which slowly evolved to burnt caramel and then that trademark Ridge MB eucalyptus and mint. Long palate of black fruit and aniseed though somewhat coiled. Tannins that need another few years but this is already drinking quite well at 17 years. Drink now with robust food or hold for another decade. 96
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TN written upon opening. Medium(+)-deep carmine, tainted rim, purple hue, vibrant. Austere nose of red cherry, lather , cedar, dried herbs. Dry, medium(+) acidity, medium(+)-high slightly chalky tannins, medium alcohol (@13.1% abv) and full body. Palate of blueberry, blackberry jam, milk chocolate/cocoa, kirsch. Fruit driven, firm structure, complex, dense material. Very long bright and slight bittersweet finish. Has at least a decade of additional cellaring potential. Impressive. Purchased at Le Clos, DXB in 2012. 79% Cabernet Sauvignin, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
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Dark fruit, black licorice, tannins still quite prominent. Paired with roast lamb shoulder. Long finish. Couldn’t compete with the 2007 Valbuena no.5 tasted alongside, which was far more balanced and complex.
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Decanted for one hour. Aromas of blackberry, currant, anise, cedar, graphite and dried herbs. Ripe black fruit, cedar, graphite, tobacco, anise and fine tannins on the palate. Very long, dry finish. Medium to full bodied. Served with prime rib and horseradish cream sauce.
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(Ridge Monte Bello) Very dark red violet color; elegant, plum, cedar nose; tasty, poised, tart plum, cassis, cedar palate with structure and elegance; needs 8-plus years; long finish (79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc)
(Ridge Monte Bello) Very dark red violet color; tart blackberry, black plum, black fruit, charcoal nose; tart black fruit, tart blackberry, black plum, herbs palate, balanced and structured; medium-plus finish 95+ pts. (decanted for 4 hours; 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc)
(Ridge Monte Bello) Very dark red violet color; gorgeous blackberry, cassis, berry, black plum nose; tight but gorgeous, elegant, black fruit, berry, cassis, mineral, tart plum palate, balanced and well structured; long finish 94+ pts.
(Ridge Monte Bello) Barrel sample - nice cassis, plum and cedar nose; very nice berry, boysenberry, cassis palate with mint and sage, fruit forward; medium-plus finish 92-95 pts. (assemblage 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot)
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5/9/2024 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted and followed over 2 hours. This had a magnificent bouquet of exotic Asian spicebox which slowly evolved to burnt caramel and then that trademark Ridge MB eucalyptus and mint. Long palate of black fruit and aniseed though somewhat coiled. Tannins that need another few years but this is already drinking quite well at 17 years. Drink now with robust food or hold for another decade. 96
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2/17/2024 - Barolo Raymond Likes this wine: 93 Points
TN written upon opening. Medium(+)-deep carmine, tainted rim, purple hue, vibrant. Austere nose of red cherry, lather , cedar, dried herbs. Dry, medium(+) acidity, medium(+)-high slightly chalky tannins, medium alcohol (@13.1% abv) and full body. Palate of blueberry, blackberry jam, milk chocolate/cocoa, kirsch. Fruit driven, firm structure, complex, dense material. Very long bright and slight bittersweet finish.
Has at least a decade of additional cellaring potential.
Impressive.
Purchased at Le Clos, DXB in 2012. 79% Cabernet Sauvignin, 10% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
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1/13/2024 - M.Batard wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit, black licorice, tannins still quite prominent. Paired with roast lamb shoulder. Long finish. Couldn’t compete with the 2007 Valbuena no.5 tasted alongside, which was far more balanced and complex.
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1/1/2024 - hoservin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for one hour. Aromas of blackberry, currant, anise, cedar, graphite and dried herbs. Ripe black fruit, cedar, graphite, tobacco, anise and fine tannins on the palate. Very long, dry finish. Medium to full bodied. Served with prime rib and horseradish cream sauce.
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12/25/2023 - Dino1971 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Wow !!!
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