93+ 2006 Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mtns) 11/17/18 ($60)
14.1% alc
Color: Medium gold. (3.0) Bouquet: Poached pear, tart apple and buttered rum. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent fruit and acidity. Tangy mouthfeel. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with browned, melted butter, not quite as expressive. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with great length and minerality being prominent. (3.5)
Overall: An outstanding SCM Chardonnay with intense minerality and precise flavors of poached pear, tart apple, buttered rum and brown butter. Also shows impressive elegance for its level of intensity. Getting close to full maturity, but not quite there. Very enjoyable now, but might improve in the next 2-4 years. (16.5)
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