2013 Ridge Monte Bello

Community Tasting Note

Todd French wrote:

Thursday, November 29, 2018 - Yes, babykilling...I know...but 'the boss' (my wife) insisted on drinking a Monte Bello if I was to keep buying them vintage after vintage, and this was the first vintage I bought into, and a good 'early drinking' example, so this was it.

Decanted for two hours, no sneak previews whatsoever, and upon first pour the nose was explosive in its perfume, really expressive and unique. There are obvious Cab Sauv/Bordeaux blend characteristics like kirsch, sandalwood, bright red fruits, but there's a really unique quality to it, perhaps fennel? It's one of those aromas that is so complex you need a PhD to outline each specific scent - black, red, and blue fruits, cedar, oak, smokiness (but not too much), heavily tanned saddle leather, and a MASSIVE dose of what I would call nearly-baked sugar cookies - doughy but not raw, parts from both but if you pulled one out you'd get a lot of vanilla but also that toasty cookie goodness. I know this is meant to enjoy in 20 or more years but holy hell is it wonderful right now.

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4 comments have been posted

Comment posted by Jazz Nut:

11/29/2018 7:46:00 PM - Thanks for the note! I've got some good friends coming into town tomorrow, and was considering opening up a bottle to see how it's showing at this young stage.
Comment posted by markydecker:

11/29/2018 8:08:00 PM - Sometimes baby killing is fun :)
Comment posted by Todd French:

11/29/2018 8:12:00 PM - Jazz Nut - at least 2 hours of decanting and you are SINGING. Gonna be tough waiting for the 'right time' on these, as they are killing right now
Comment posted by wdcwineguys:

12/1/2018 5:02:00 AM - I got to taste the 2013 at Monte Bello in June and I completely agree with your TN. I actually like younger Cab blends. With age they just develop into something different. At least that’s how I look at it ;)