92 1994 Ridge St. Cruz Mtns Cabernet 6/5/04 ($24)
Color: Deep garnet with just a touch of onion skin around the rim, but not quite clearing.(3.5) Bouquet: Marzipan and ink with blackberry fruit. Rich and concentrated with tannin still showing after 1.5 hrs of air.(3.5) Body: Well-balanced, but tannin and some acidity are prevalent at this point. I expect the tannin to dissipate and the acidity to integrate with time(1-3 yrs). Light heavyweight.(3.0) Flavor: Concentrated bitter almond with mouth-coating tannins surrounding a rich core of blackberry and cassis fruit, but not sweet yet.(3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor step-for-step. Long finish showing a little more of the complexity found in the bouquet.(3.0)
Overall: An exceptional Cabernet from a great vintage. Still a little young, but showing signs of development, reminiscent of the ’91 at this age. Excellent now, but give it time. This could be great in 2-3 yrs.(16.0)