4/14/2021 - prasm wrote:

My first of 6 bottles left in ship box in my cellar since delivery. Obvious signs of seepage and protruding cork. Cork was soaked so a Durand was used to open. Wine seeped from the cork in the hole made by the corkscrew upon entry. When the Ah-So portion of the Durand was entered a noticeable rush of air exited the bottle. The wine itself is drinkable, but extremely muted - almost tasteless. This appears to be a common problem with this bottling unfortunately.

6/10/2020 - mchern02 wrote:

1 hour decant

Youthful highly perfumed nose dominated by ripe dark blueberries, lavender, cassis, minerals and a touch floral tones. Palate is balanced, with youthful fruit and well structured, but restrained. Combined with dryish tannins and good length makes this one that, while quite drinkable right now, would benefit from another 5 plus years.

93 with upside

6/9/2020 - guitarguy wrote:

This may be more Wine Speculator window, as I found it to be shy, awkward and maybe frozen. Ashy, cool blue fruit tones with a heavy dose of acidity and tannins that dried the palate and kept it from being at the top. I wonder how the Ridge winemakers see it?

12/27/2019 - MC2 Wines wrote:

Two bottles purchased on release and stored in offsite for the last few years and both were completely flawed (fermentation style that starts to lend itself towards vinegar notes). Makes me think we should be bringing the others back so we're not wasting money on storage as seems like there's been some mixed approaches with these reading old notes.

6/25/2019 - msuwine wrote:

This earthy and lean Cabernet is hard for me to figure at this point - hence the lack of a score. I respect Ridge's place in wine history, along with its transparent and under-stated approach. I also know it has a loyal and avid fan base, who often evoke its reputation for ageability and Old World balance. So, I get it: smart people love these wines.

Still, I can't say I loved this wine, even at the 10-year mark. My main question is whether the flavor profile is a feature or a bug, so here come the descriptors: Brick red in color; light- to medium- in body; nose of plum, dill, and herbs. Understated but integrated tastes of black cherry, cranberry, anise, leather, vanillin, and (more) dill, with a wispy and dusty finish. Blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. 13.5% alcohol. Followed over six hours with little change.

Based on this bottle, I found a thinness, woodsiness (lots of American Oak), and lack of intensity that I don't typically associate with greatness. I believe in - and enjoy - great old wines, but I'm just not sure this is one of them, at least not yet. Maybe this is just a matter of this particular bottle, vintage, or stage in the maturation process (or, yes, perhaps this particular palate). I'm planning to try a few other aged Monte Bellos, but this wasn't a promising start, at least for me.

5/7/2019 - PDavisMarble wrote:

Bright red. Decanted for 30 minutes. Not a hint of bricking. Beautiful nose -- baking spices, rose, cherry, some underlying leather and wet earth. Wow. By far the best of the case. Red fruits and cedar with a long, long finish. There was a lightness and complexity here that has been absent from a few of the bottles. The freshness and delicacy of the acids were elegant. This particular bottle could have easily aged for another 5+ years, before starting to decline.

1/19/2019 - thelostverse wrote:

Either too young, not a long enough decant or both. Red and dark fruits, with hints of lavender. Lengthy finish and nice balance, but something seems missing. Never did put my finger on it though. Still excellent, just always expect more out of MB.

10/1/2018 - Outplaying wrote:

Wow have our tastes changed and evolved. 6 years ago I thought this was "Burgundian, elegant and sexy." We mostly drank big CA wines at the time. Today, we both thought this was concentrated, big, ripe and fruity. I guess I can see the sexy comment as there is a silky and soft texture. There are some bloody, mineral notes, and overall I get the feeling there is a chance this may still improve and mellow. I told Ann that we have a couple more bottles and she asked "should we sell them?" We laughed and decided to keep them to share with others that are learning about wine and/or like this style.

In terms of 2007 CdP, we have found Pegau and St. Prefert Auguste Favier to be too Port-y and raisiny. This and Vieux Donjon are better, but still not our preferred style.

6/6/2018 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:

A nice Merlot, but perhaps just a tad soft and lifeless. Depth there but not layers I was expecting. All dark plum fruit, just somewhat flat. Perhaps it needed another hour of air before consumption to open further and develop those layers??? This one isn't worth the pp to me but then again it's been a long time since I thought that it was. Can't hold a candle to O'Shaughnessy, La Jota or Turnbull Fortuna merlots, IMO.

11/9/2017 - floydtp wrote:

Protruding cork and lots of dissolved gas in the wine. Poured into a decanter and it foamed out of the top. Tasted like sparkling grape juice.

5/29/2018 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine:

Stunning performer for the price and it may even be on the young side. Threw a fair amount of sediment. Full-bodied with mouth-filling dark fruit, but not a fruit or alcohol bomb, everything seemed balanced and well-integrated-despite all of that, a touch of the elegance you find with Pomerol's (Bordeaux Merlots). Highly recommend. Borderline 91.

5/24/2018 - MC2 Wines wrote:

From the oenotheque machines at Hedonism in London. Very different than the other wines I was trying. I’ll admit I’ve a very narrow taste for some of the bolder Napa and often I prefer it with a number of years. This was blackberry compote and alcohol and overall more intense. The opposite of restrained. Maybe with some time it will calm down, but not in a good place for me right now.

5/13/2018 - AllRed wrote:

Second Sunday Group: Ridge Monte Bello 2005-2012 (Jeff's): Double blind. Ripe dark fruit, pepper, spice and pine forest notes. Has a briny quality on the palate, very unique in this lineup. Ripe dark fruit and briny notes. Lingering finish. 88-89 pts.

My #5, Domino's #7
Group #7, 64 pts.

1/20/2018 - Sour Grapes wrote:

I found this vintage to currently be more approachable than the oak monster of 2010. The oak, while present, does not beat you over the head. I am not sure I would purchase this again, but I am interested to see how my other two bottles age.