92 2002 Ridge Santa Cruz Mtns Chardonnay 2/16/13 ($30)
14.9% alc
Color: Beautiful 18kt gold. Looks ready. (3.5) Bouquet: Minerals and toasted croutons fully integrated with elegant pear fruit, caramel and and honeysuckle highlights. (3.5) Body: Solid middleweight to light heavyweight with excellent fruit and acidity and outstanding minerality. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet. (3.0) Finish: Long, but not as intense as bouquet and flavor. (3.0)
Overall: This was excellent right from the start, but had a hard outer shell when young, showing youthful fierceness and bitterness. It's wonderful to see all of those youthful flaws resolve and have nothing but beauty remaining. Drink now and in the next couple of years. (16.0)
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