April 20, 2024 - Nice... Late stage maturity. Can see why this juice didn't make it into the Monte Bello as this bottling has always been a bit muted and lacking in complexity. Still a good pleasurable wine.
May 11, 2021 - Fading. If you have this wine drink up!
July 8, 2017 - Dark garnet color. Cherry & some cedar in nose. Full mouth feel with soft tannins. Nice finish with a dry aftertaste.
August 31, 2016 - Wirklich schöner Baby Montebello namens Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 1998. Die meisten seiner Trauben stammen aus höhergelegenen Lagen im Montebello Weinberg. Mit rekordverdächtigen 12% zeigte sich dieser Cabernet Sauvignon (ganz genau 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot und 2% Cabernet Franc) enorm schlank, sehr kühl, angenehm reduziert schwarzbeerig, recht tabakig und wunderbar erdig-laubig. Man schmeckt den ungewöhnlich kühlen Jahrgang 1998 mit enorm später Lese (Ernte war Mitte November 1998). Knall straffe Säure und leicht kitzelndes Tannin passten wirklich gut ins Gesamtbild rein. Dieser Ridge stand noch wirklich super gut da! Dürfte aber eher nichts für Freunde von vollfruchtigen „Maul-voll-Weinen“ sein. Dafür war er wohl zu streng und ernst. Sicherlich hätter er im Abgang etwas länger sein können. Gleiches gilt für seine eigentliche Komplexität. Mir war das aber komplett egal, da es sich um einen sehr ausgeglichenen und erstaunlich eleganter Wein handelte. So finde ich Cali Cabs wirklich Spitze. Allemal ein wirklich sehr anständiger Cabernet Sauvignon aus den Santa Cruz Mountains.
http://wine-zeit.blogspot.de/2016/09/wild-vermischtes-kalifornien-der.html
April 20, 2015 - From Coravin. A touch of oxidation under ripe black fruits (cherry), vanilla and chocolate as well as slight VA. touches of leather as well. In the mouth the wine has pretty much the same qualities. the tannins are fine and silky. Very well balanced. rather nice despite the oxidised note.
February 6, 2015 - Coravin fun - around the northern hemisphere ish (My place, parramatta, sydney): From Coravin. Plentiful rim fade. On the nose the wine is slightly musty with aromas of vanilla, cream, brambly fruit, slight balsamic and touches of vegetation. In the mouth the wine is slight sour, with flavours of black fruit, tight tannins, still, but on their downward journey. Great structure and rather nice despite being slightly oxidised.
December 21, 2014 - full mature aromas, cigar box, spice, biscuit, sweet tobacco and tiny touches of cream and vanilla. Over time leather, meat and oxidised notes. In the mouth the wine is juicy and, initially, a bit hollow in the middle palate then fine front of mouth silky tannic grip and savoury Christmas cake notes that carry on the medium plus length. A bit of oxidation on the palate as well. Level was base of the neck. Not flawed but, I'd suggest, not in perfect condition. with time the middle palate fills out and gets more fleshy. Hmm
March 26, 2014 - Comes out of the bottle fairly youthful in color, nose with smoky red fruit, good entry from the first pour, a tad prune, but then has plenty of lift and vibrancy, good fruit pops back into the picture, changes all the time, even hours later. Very interesting and quite a surprise. Maybe just a tad hallow, but kicks back when you least expect it. Ready to drink up as well. Like.
"Santa Cruz Mountains" 88% cabernet Sauvignon, 5% merlot, 5% petit verdot, 2% cabrent franc.
90-92
November 25, 2011 - At Roberson's Christmas Wine Tasting (11/24/11). Some more depth - though not much more - than the 2007 which was tasted simultaneously (see my notes). Seems to be fading a bit, if quite pleasant and restrained.
July 18, 2010 - very well balanced, soft and supple. A real treat! I thought it was a good deal seeing how some of these grapes came from the Monte Bello Vineyard