August 3, 2023 - Absolutely singing. Fruit, Cedar, dust, tannins, earth and acid all in balance. taste like montebello. Wish I had more. One of the best bottles of Ridge I've ever had.
January 20, 2019 - Good nose of minty black currant fruit and charred wood. Medium-bodied and hanging in there. Will see if it improves or decays with time in decanter/with a T-bone.
Later: Nose is still delightful. Palate is still a little light. I'm sure this was great 5-10 years ago, but is now over the hill. That said, it is still together and considering that I paid $14.95 (approximately $24 in 2019 dollars), this was an amazing bargain! 87-ish
September 22, 2012 - Surprisingly lovely. Cork broke up on opening. Some bricking. Mature Cabernet nose - black currant with a hint of tobacco and cedar - could be mistaken for a claret. Still plenty of fruit and sweetness - drying on the finish - medium length. Really lovely now but may last even longer. Sadly my last bottle
December 19, 2011 - Dark red color, light sediment, similar to last bottle. Back labl suggest it will hold up through 2004. This is doing fine and it could keep going.
October 1, 2011 - Pretty amazing - purchased on release and stored in a variety of closets, basements and finally a proper cellar over 5 household moves. Cork fell apart while opening, but no leakage. Wine had a fine sediment. Color is black/red with no bricking. Great mature Cabernet nose readily detectable on decanting. Palate is smooth with some fruit still present, but mature. Good acidity, great balance.
January 31, 2010 - Much different wine than previous. This one much younger, seems like a 2002 Cali Cab. The nose took a while to open up. Dark, no bricking. Beautiful mature Cab fruit wafting off the glass, very dusty. Full palate of fruit, mature, old world, yum across the palate. Very nice mature California cab, love it. Killer wine making.
December 31, 2009 - Regrettably over the hill; pruny nose, oxidatize palette. Could drink it; but preferred to pour it out.
August 1, 2009 - A darker red, hint of brick at the edges. Nose was a bit of alch, which is strange given it's low content, along with a brunt/charred oak. All the fruit on this is absorbed, only slight tart strawberry flavor remains, that charrred oak, leather. Decent finish, tannins there, but this baby is past it's day, drink up.
June 20, 2009 - Still plenty of years left; medium tannins, great color, complex nose. OK for 5 more years
May 30, 2009 - Very good color, strong tannic backbone remains, little fruit comes through. Nose slightly musty. Could be just this bottle.