Tasting Note                          

97    1991 Ridge Monte Bello       12/22/06 ($55)
85% Cab, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot 13.1% alc

Color: Black garnet that is difficult to see through. Shows a little clearing, which suggests how dense it must have been when young, and a slight touch of onion skin. Very impressive for 15+ years old. (4.0) Bouquet: Very beautiful, silky fruit-forward attack of cassis and boysenberries with sweet black ink and tar. (4.0) Body: A classy heavyweight with plenty of acidity, fruit and tannin. (3.5) Flavor: Excellent acidity and healthy tannin complement tar-infused fruit. Parallels bouquet, but fruit is not as forward or silky. (3.0) Finish: Big and long. Has the tar of the flavor combined with the fruit of the bouquet. Absolutely gorgeous! (4.0)
Overall: A very great SCM Cabernet. It is more CA Cabernet in style than the ’90, but is still Bordeaux-esque. Sediment (bottom of bottle) tastes like strawberry, rhubarb flavored crème de cassis. This has the structure and concentration to remain at the top of its game for 2-4 more years at least and will probably drink well for another ten. (18.5)