1997 Ridge Monte Bello

Community Tasting Notes (270) Avg Score: 93.9 points

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  3/4/2024 - DoubleD1969 wrote:

  Drank next to the 1997 Ornellaia. Both bottles were double decanted in the afternoon then brought to the Hawksmoor NYC.
  
  Ornellaia: 65% Cab, 30% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc.
  The nose was a bit more expressive while decanting. Notes of raspberries, dried herbs, and wet earth. At the restaurant, a bit of barnyard crept in. Color had a maroon core that gradually lightened towards the edges. Looking at it next to the Ridge, it was obviously lighter in color. Wine was silky with tannins fully resolved. Dried red fruit, pomegranate seeds, oregano, and mushroom/earthy kind of taste. Still excellent.
  
  Ridge MB: 85% Cab, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cab Franc.
  Like the Ornie when decanting, the nose was full of eucalyptus, black licorice, and graphite which receded somewhat (may have been the restaurant) and let the crushed black cherry fruit to emerge. Color was mostly opaque. Much fuller-bodied than the Ornellaia with the dark cherry, blackberry, forest floor combo. Fantastic as always. A better match for the charcoal-grilled steaks.

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  2/3/2024 - Ward Huang Likes this wine: 99 Points

  Slow-ox for 12 hrs at cellar temp. Much better than last bottle. Decanting in the bottle with long time and less oxygen really helps showcase its full potential.

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  1/20/2024 - A&C Likes this wine: 99 Points

  This is an incredible wine. Simply stunning. I put this up there with one of the best bottles I've had over the course of the last couple of years. And it was a 1997. This is a very special wine. If you have any, you're lucky. Thanks to James for sharing last night!!

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  1/18/2024 - thesternowl wrote: 95 Points

  1997 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Retrospective (Omaha, NE): Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #2 had great color, was developing, fresh, focused, balanced; great structure. One of those glasses of wine you didn’t want to end and, for me, a tough call for favorite of the flight along with Wine #1. I vacillated between this being Dominus or Monte Bello; ultimately calling the former. This is in a beautiful phase of life. Drink now through 2040.

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  1/5/2024 - rcg62 wrote: 97 Points

  Wow wine. Youthful looking still, and the palate is plush and feels young in the same way. Feels like there are many years ahead. Huge nose, so tart and red-fruity and floral. Fruit bomb palate that lingers and still coats the teeth. Dare I say it? It will improve the next five years or so. (Admitted bias. I love Monte Bello!)

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