Tasting Note                         

91    1993 Ridge Santa Cruz Mtns Merlot        2/27/03 ($27)

100% Merlot 13.4% alc
Color: Medium deep garnet with quite a bit of onion skin indicating ready. It’s clearing so drink. (3.0) Bouquet: Ceiling wax and delicate ink combined with black cherry fruit. Also a subtle, complex herbal component. (3.0) Body: Well balanced, fruit-tannin-acidity. A solid middleweight that is on the lean side with just enough tannin. Acidity propels the fruit as it breaths and opens. (3.0) Flavor: Ceiling wax and black cherry fruit with a slightly dusty, Bordeaux-like soil element (just enough to be interesting). (3.0) Finish: Long with ripe black cherry, plum, fig, and molasses and tar complexity. Very interesting. (3.5)
Overall: Excellent and a change of pace from the SCM Cabernet, not as rich or full, but its leanness allows more complexity to come out. Comes off like a less earthy version of Pomerol. Very enjoyable and as usual for Ridge, a unique expression of CA wine. (15.5)