90+ 2007 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate 5/8/10 ($40)
58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot 13.3% alc
Color: Deep purple, black and red cherry. (3.0) Bouquet: Black pepper-infused cassis and tart red cherry with bayleaf and menthol. Youthful acidity and spicy oak tickle the nose. (3.0) Body: Excellent acidity that's youthfully fierce combined with chalky tannins help to lift up very good fruit, but could use a little more to meet the structure. A light heavyweight that coats the mouth very nicely. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with tart cherry fruit more prevalent. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with a little burn from chalky acidity and tannin. Nonetheless, the spice, tart cherry fruit and tannins really linger. (3.0)
Overall: Youthfully fierce with spicy black pepper, bayleaf and menthol, complementing tart red and black cherry fruit. Not the biggest or most fruit forward version of this wine, but the impressive structure and spice, combined with sufficient fruit promise better things in the next 5-7 years. Decant for two hours if drinking now. (15.0)
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