92 1999 Ridge Coast Range Cabernet Sauvignon 5/12/13 ($20)
77% CS, 19% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot 12.5% alc (bottled Aug. '02)
Color: Deep black garnet. Impressive for its age. (3.5) Bouquet: Elegant cassis and fresh peas with black ink. (3.0) Body: Heavyweight with excellent smooth tannins and acidity and very good fruit. Coats mouth fully. (3.5) Flavor: Big cassis propelled by acidity. (3.5) Finish: Not as open. Fruit is losing distinction to the structure. (3.0)
Overall: Still an outstanding wine, but restrained at present. I've drunk this a few times in the past 5 years, when it was more expressive. Still classic Cabernet with serious Medoc-like structure and interesting briar and cedar components complementing cassis fruit. Still an amazing value. Has plenty of life left, so I'd recommend waiting a few years and see where this goes. (16.5)
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