Tasting Note                         

93+   2013  Ridge  Estate Merlot (Santa Cruz Mtns)   5/26/17  ($50)

100% Merlot   13.8% alc
Color: Very deep garnet. (3.5) Bouquet Rich blackberry and black currant fruit with subtle cedar and attractive dusty bramble. (3.5) Body: Heavyweight with excellent fruit, acidity and healthy tannins. Balanced and coats the mouth beautifully. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but slightly restrained with a little bitterness from the young tannins. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor step-for-step. Very long. (3.0)
Overall: This is a seriously good Merlot with outstanding balance and structure. Built more like a top notch Pomerol than a CA Merlot. Also shows dusty, brambly complexity. This should age beautifully and be at its best at 10-12 years old. It can be drunk now if decanted for a couple of hours. (16.5)

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