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Monte Bello Cabernet Offline
Gauthier London
Tasted July 12, 2011 by rayq with 737 views
Introduction
Monte Bello offline organised by Keith Prothero with some prompting by Ken Lamb who also suggested the venue.
Neil very kindly brought a Clos des Goisses 96 to start us off in traditional style.
And a pair of Climens 96 from half bottles concluded proceedings.
Flight 1 - Whites - with Soft Lobster & Crab Salad (2 notes)
White
1993 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne
Deep yellow/pale gold colour.
Lovely expressive nose. Some oxidative aromas. Lovely weight in the mouth. Buttery /Oily texture.
Really lovely wine.
Lovely expressive nose. Some oxidative aromas. Lovely weight in the mouth. Buttery /Oily texture.
Really lovely wine.
White
2004 Ridge Chardonnay Monte Bello
Light gold colour. Not particularly forthcoming aromas.
Lively and fresh. Not too oaky but a bit short. Perhaps overshadowed by the Bonneau de Martray.
Lively and fresh. Not too oaky but a bit short. Perhaps overshadowed by the Bonneau de Martray.
Flight 2 - Summer Truffle Risotto Brown butter & parmesan (3 notes)
Red
1998 Ridge Monte Bello
Deep cherry red. Lovely classic cab nose. Not overdone. Really elegant wine.
Drinking very well and will only get better.
A superb start.
Drinking very well and will only get better.
A superb start.
Red
1997 Ridge Monte Bello
More youthful looking than the 98. More purple than red. Hotter on the nose and palate.
A much 'bigger' wine. But not 'better'. From a warmer and more highly rated vintage
but it seems a touch too ripe and big. This needs more time to settle down into a more recognisable Ridge MB.
A much 'bigger' wine. But not 'better'. From a warmer and more highly rated vintage
but it seems a touch too ripe and big. This needs more time to settle down into a more recognisable Ridge MB.
Red
1995 Ridge Monte Bello
This seemed to be halfway between the 98 and 97.
Not as elegant as the 98 but less bold than the 97.
Cherry core with a purple rim. Nice ripe fruit. No rush here.
Not as elegant as the 98 but less bold than the 97.
Cherry core with a purple rim. Nice ripe fruit. No rush here.
Flight 3 - Roast Guinea Fowl (4 notes)
Red
1999 Ridge Monte Bello
Deep cherry colour. Wonderful nose.
Restrained and elegant. Lovely cross between Cal Cab and Bordeaux.
Bloody meaty nose with a hint of sweet wafer.
Silky texture. Super wine.
Restrained and elegant. Lovely cross between Cal Cab and Bordeaux.
Bloody meaty nose with a hint of sweet wafer.
Silky texture. Super wine.
Red
1994 Ridge Monte Bello
Deep cherry red. Hint of sweetness to this in a good way. Good ripe fruit but not overdone.
Hint of caramel? Nice long finish. Lovely.
Hint of caramel? Nice long finish. Lovely.
Red
1992 Ridge Monte Bello
This is the most 'classic' of the flight. Most like the 98 from the first flight.
Seems more Bordeaux than California. Again really lovely wine.
Seems more Bordeaux than California. Again really lovely wine.
Red
1991 Ridge Monte Bello
flawed
Flawed. TCA I think. Certainly seemed to be initially.
Some glasses seemed to show better. After three hours in the glass it seemed to be less tainted but was still not right.
Some glasses seemed to show better. After three hours in the glass it seemed to be less tainted but was still not right.
Flight 4 - Selection of French Cheese (3 notes)
Red
1990 Ridge Monte Bello
Some taosty oak notes here. Lovely Cabernet character.
Restrained and elegant. Drinking very well. Lovely wine.
Restrained and elegant. Drinking very well. Lovely wine.
Red
1988 Ridge Monte Bello
More mature looking wine. Cherry with some bricking.
Very expressive nose. Lots of blood and leather. On the 'right' side of brett for me.
However on the palate the brett has taken its toll. The fruit has been stripped and sadly
the palate does not live up to what the nose promised.
Pity.
Very expressive nose. Lots of blood and leather. On the 'right' side of brett for me.
However on the palate the brett has taken its toll. The fruit has been stripped and sadly
the palate does not live up to what the nose promised.
Pity.
Red
1981 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello
Certainly a case of saving the best till last!
Wonderful nose of classic mature cab. Very Bordeaux like.
Cigar box, pencil lead. Mature. Velvet textured palate.
Great length. Superb. Really showing perfectly.
Wonderful nose of classic mature cab. Very Bordeaux like.
Cigar box, pencil lead. Mature. Velvet textured palate.
Great length. Superb. Really showing perfectly.
Closing
One of the strongest line up of wines at an offline that I can remember. They all showed very well apart from the faulty '91.
The venue was very good. A lovely private room and quite spacious. Perfect for twelve.
Though there is another room which would suit a smaller gathering.
Wine service was excellent and the food was very good, though I think the Ledbury has the edge.