96+ 1992 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1/8/10 ($55)
80% CS, 11% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot 13.4% alc
Color: Very deep garnet. Very young looking for 18 with maybe just a touch of onion skin. (4.0) Bouquet: Very concentrated cassis and black ink with excellent Bordeaux-like SCM terroir. (4.0) Body: Heavyweight with elegance for its size. Outstanding fruit, tannin and rich mouthcoating texture. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with concentrated cassis fruit and tannin, but not quite as aromatic and open. (3.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but somewhat restrained. Needs time. (3.0)
Overall: Great!! Bordeaux-styled California Cabernet at its best, showing classic Santa Cruz Mtns style. Less forward in style than the '91, but just as fine, showing great structure and balance. It will be interesting to see which of these really great wines comes out on top in the next 5 years. (18.0)
Copyright © 2006 - 2010, Paul DeRose , WineOutpost.com