Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 1999
Price:$119.99 SKU30748 | Add to Cart |
Ridge Vineyards
A conjunction of intense black fruit, firm acid, and well-integrated tannin has produced one of the finest vintages of an unusual decade. Balanced and approachable as a young wine, this lovely Monte Bello will develop beautifully with ten to fifteen years of bottle age.
International Wine Cellar
Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello bottling has been one of California's elite collectibles virtually since Paul Draper came on board as winemaker in 1969. Today, more than ever before, Ridge is strikingly different from the cabernet-based wines of Napa Valley, which routinely carry alcohol levels of 14% or more in decent vintages. In recent years, Monte Bello has become more accessible in its youth, but not through sheer ripeness or power: it remains a subtle, more European-style red, typically featuring a claret-like 12.5% alcohol.
Full deepruby to the rim. Superripe aromas remain just this side of surmaturite: Black plum, black cherry, roast coffee, dark chocolate, menthol. (I might have picked this blind as ripe-year St. Julien.) Great lushness and depth on the palate; pliant, seamless and thoroughly ripe, but with strong supporting structure under the seductive flesh. Finishes with noble, broad tannins and great freshness; mint and licorice notes contribute to the impression of grip and snap...Another outstanding vintage for this wine. 94(+) pts.
Score: 94.
—Stephen Tanzer,
Wine Spectator
A wine of great balance, finesse and grace. Well-focused, the ripe, tart, rich blackberry and currant fruit is intense yet elegant, picking up earth, mineral and sage notes, and finishing with fine, well-integrated tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012. 5,679 cases made.
Score: 92.
—James Laube,
October
15,
2002.
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