1991 Ridge Monte Bello
Red Bordeaux Blend
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Pro Reviews
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View From the Cellar
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By John Gilman
(Cabernet Sauvignon “Monte Bello”- Ridge Vineyards (Santa Cruz Mountains)) Login and sign up and see review text.
May/Jun 2020, Issue #87, Recently-Tasted American Wines Lifting the Spirits Of The Sad Spring of 2020
JancisRobinson.com
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By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
4/8/2020, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)
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By Stephen Tanzer
(Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Central Coast Red) Login and sign up and see review text.
Vintage Retrospective: 1991 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (Jul 2018), 7/18/2018, (See more on Vinous...)
Decanter
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By William Kelley
(Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA, Red) Login and subscribe to see review text.
Ridge Monte Bello Vertical, 11/27/2017, (See more on Decanter...)
JancisRobinson.com
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By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
6/17/2017, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)
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By Antonio Galloni
(Ridge Monte Bello Central Coast) Login and sign up and see review text.
Ridge Monte Bello: Past, Present and Future (Jul 2015), 7/1/2015, (See more on Vinous...)
JancisRobinson.com
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By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
5/25/2015, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...) -
By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
3/2/2010, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)
View From the Cellar
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By John Gilman
(Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Monte Bello”) Login and sign up and see review text.
Jan/Feb 2010, Issue #25, The 1991 California Cabernets- Should There Be More Great Wines?
JancisRobinson.com
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By Jancis Robinson, MW
(Ridge, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red) Subscribe to see review text.
3/11/2005, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)
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By Stephen Tanzer
(Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Red Blend) Login and sign up and see review text.
September/October 2000, IWC Issue #92, (See more on Vinous...)
RJonWine.com
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By Richard Jennings
(Ridge Monte Bello) Very dark red violet color; tart currant, pencil lead, iron, tart black fruit nose; very tasty, tart currant, ripe plum, tart black fruit, pencil lead, creosote palate; medium-plus finish 93+ points (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot)
8/27/2011, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 93 points -
By Richard Jennings
(Ridge Monte Bello) From 375 ml - slightly bricking dark red violet color with pale meniscus; nice maturing, mushroom, cigar box, dried cassis nose; dried cassis, cassis, with brightness at top and dried fruit below, subtle spices and anise palate; medium-plus finish 93+ pts. (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot; decanted for 2 and a half hours)
9/26/2010, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 93 points
NOTE: Some content is property of View From the Cellar and JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Decanter and RJonWine.com.
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Wine Definition
- Vintage1991
- TypeRed
- ProducerRidge
- VarietyRed Bordeaux Blend
- Designationn/a
- VineyardMonte Bello
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionSanta Cruz Mountains
- AppellationSanta Cruz Mountains
- Display optionsDefault
- UPC/EAN Code086891077437, 185983000046
9/3/2023 - fredb Likes this wine:
Decanted off small amount of sediment. Dark plum red color. Aromas of vanilla, plum, and smoke. Palate has plum/cherry/vanilla core with some additional floral elements that emerge with time in the decanter. This seemed to be either shut down or simply frozen in time. Was expecting more development. Hold.
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8/25/2023 - alittle wrote: 92 Points
Well constructed, but rather unspectacular.
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5/2/2023 - Charlie Carnes wrote:
I can’t find the bottle, I can’t find the note, but I know I drink it, and I know it was good… I really wish I had my note!
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3/16/2023 - Nontaco Likes this wine: 95 Points
Lots of life, fruit, acid, youthful and going strong - little bit like Mick Jagger strutting on stage. Enjoyed at The Barn at Blackberry Farm. Possible might have scored higher if drank without food and had chance to commune with the bottle a bit more, still very good experience, just was hoping for a bit more given the other reviews. All in all, a very charming bottle though.
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2/3/2023 - SH Wu Likes this wine: 99 Points
Young and tannic out of the bottle - you could not tell this was a 1991. Decanting brings out the depths of concentrated fruit that was a perfect marriage with some grilled veal chops.
The veal chops at Pluckemin Inn are rather simple and old fashioned - grilled to medium rare with the fat well rendered and a crust well seared.
As you eat the chops with the wine, the tertiary characteristics of dried herbs, menthol, mushrooms and black pepper season the lamb to perfection. A subtle black berry sauce provides acidity and enough sweet fruit concentration to cut the gaminess of the lamb. The gentle influence of the secondary notes from the oak add spice and a little creaminess to the lamb.
This fantastic experience was only possible because the kitchen accepted their role as a supporting cast to the wine program. I could not ask for more in a pairing marriage between wine and food.
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