92 2001 Ridge Monte Bello (Santa Cruz Mtns) 1/15/17 ($80)
56% CS, 36% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot 14.2% alc
Color: Very deep garnet, no browning. (3.5) Bouquet: Very ripe, slightly candied cassis fruit complemented by clay and musky forest floor nuances. (3.5) Body: Heavyweight with excellent fruit, acidity and smooth tannins. Coats mouth nicely. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but the candied fruit is a little sweet and covers some of the complexity. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with excellent length. (3.0)
Overall: Shows impressive concentration, also very well balanced and structured, but the fruit is slightly over ripe showing a touch of candied sweetness, which gets in the way of the complexity. Was better a few years ago (more charming fruit), but should hold for another 5 years. (16)
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