In a great spot after a 2-ish hour decant - this wine retains a good balance of primary and secondary tension. The acidic lift, minerality and concentrated but soft-spoken primaries keep this wine drinking beautifully with a variety of grilled meat main courses.
As more air enters the glass, the harmony between the layers of dark fruit primaries and the secondaries of cedar and clove season the medium rare veal chops I was eating perfectly.
This wine was at the right place right time for me - I can see this wine not performing as highly if it weren't drank with fresh grilled veal chops. In the heat of the meal though, this really hit the spot.
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The 1995 seems a stern rendition of Monte Bello, maybe under-rated today at 93 but the real point is that this is probably a wine to watch. The slow burn of gradually building black fruit along nori and green peppercorn may explode in a few years - and the tough, tannic palate needs time to soften anyway.
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Stellar. Sorry, drank this several days ago and did not take notes at the time. This is from memory. I do believe it is past peak however still an incredible wine. Smooth, nuanced (flavor, backbone, and yes...there is a hint of vinegar as another reviewer commented, but it is so tiny that it adds to the complexity). Sad this was my last bottle. I would drink now.
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Past its peak though not radically so — a bit of vinegar note. Beyond that, a great and balanced wine, mellow with age to not overpower though still not thin.
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(Ridge Monte Bello) Medium dark ruby color; nice, mature, herbal, cedar, stewed plum nose; mature, tasty, tart plum, cedar, herbal, American oak dill palate with medium acidity; at peak, should go 5-7 more years; medium-plus finish 92+ points (tasted much more mature than only 16 years old; 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc)
(Ridge Monte Bello) Dark red violet color; lovely cassis, slightly herbal, plum, cedar nose; tight, youthful, tart cassis, red plum, cedar palate with a touch of herb; long finish 92+ points (69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc)
(Ridge Monte Bello) Crimson color; focused cassis, blackberry and mint nose; plush palate of cassis, with sweet, firm tannins; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc)
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2/2/2024 - SH Wu Likes this wine: 98 Points
In a great spot after a 2-ish hour decant - this wine retains a good balance of primary and secondary tension. The acidic lift, minerality and concentrated but soft-spoken primaries keep this wine drinking beautifully with a variety of grilled meat main courses.
As more air enters the glass, the harmony between the layers of dark fruit primaries and the secondaries of cedar and clove season the medium rare veal chops I was eating perfectly.
This wine was at the right place right time for me - I can see this wine not performing as highly if it weren't drank with fresh grilled veal chops. In the heat of the meal though, this really hit the spot.
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12/3/2023 - englishman's claret wrote: 93 Points
The 1995 seems a stern rendition of Monte Bello, maybe under-rated today at 93 but the real point is that this is probably a wine to watch. The slow burn of gradually building black fruit along nori and green peppercorn may explode in a few years - and the tough, tannic palate needs time to soften anyway.
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8/20/2023 - Zingrrl wrote: 93 Points
Stellar. Sorry, drank this several days ago and did not take notes at the time. This is from memory. I do believe it is past peak however still an incredible wine. Smooth, nuanced (flavor, backbone, and yes...there is a hint of vinegar as another reviewer commented, but it is so tiny that it adds to the complexity). Sad this was my last bottle. I would drink now.
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7/27/2023 - sh6k Likes this wine: 92 Points
Past its peak though not radically so — a bit of vinegar note. Beyond that, a great and balanced wine, mellow with age to not overpower though still not thin.
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5/29/2023 - jgh123 wrote: 93 Points
Lighter than expected but still with some complexity. Fully mature.
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