Sister's Birthday Dinner

Dinner for my sister's 50th birthday last night, so this needed to be something both special and sentimental. I don't keep much California Cabernet and she loves it, so I chose my last bottle of '84 Montebello...have had this longer than anything else in my collection, since release. One of the very first things I bought to keep. Some folks have said to drink up but I think this would have gone another 10 years easily. Funny how Draper's note on the bottle says developed in 5-10 years, though it's been 30.

I picked the Verset to go with the main course, bo kho (spicy Vietnamese beef stew) and I thought it showed a touch better than the cab, fully resolved and wildly aromatic. But unlike the Cornas, the Montebello was still improving as we finished it up a few hours later.

• 1998 Noël Verset Cornas 95 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  The sample on opening was like tapenade, tannins almost resolved and could have been enjoyed immediately. When consumed four hours later this was wild, almost-plump, in-your-face open. A complete eye-opener for me as I haven't had this for probably 8 years. At its peak, started to fade within an hour. Great showing.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1984 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello 94 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  The cork had only come out half an inch and I had to pause to admire the intensely sweet fragrance, and I'm thinking this is going to be good. Sample pour is still quite tannic though and this needs every bit of 3 hours of slow-ox to drink well. Pretty much the complete package for Montebello, sweet high-toned red fruits, touch of resiny complexity, continues to improve over 2-3 more hours. This should hold for years. Cellared since release, my last bottle.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No