93 2002 Ridge Santa Cruz Mtns Cabernet-Merlot 7/12/15 ($30)
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot 13.7% alc
Color: Deep garnet, no browning or clearing. (3.5) Bouquet: Dusty cocoa and cedar with blackberries, black raspberries and cassis. Sweet/tart and lively. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent acidity and fruit along with smooth tannins. Tangy mouthfeel. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but tartness detracted from the richness in the mouth. Still very tasty. (3.0) Finish: Parallels bouquet step-for-step. Long and very tangy. (3.5)
Overall: A beautifully balanced Bordeaux blend, showing excellent mineral and cedar character complementing rich blackberry, black raspberry and cassis fruit. The high percentage of Merlot makes the tart berry character come out along with the usual Cabernet cassis. Interesting and different. Probably at its best now and in the next few years. (16.5)
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