89+ 1999 Ridge Coast Range Cabernet 10/20/06 ($18)
77% Cab, 19% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot 12.5% alc
Color: Dense garnet with no onion skin, can barely see through it. (3.5) Bouquet: Big cedar and rich cassis. (3.0) Body: Fruit, tannin and oak all in a big way, a balanced heavyweight. Tannin and cassis coat the mouth. (3.0) Flavor: Rich cassis fruit with forceful tannin, cedar and black pepper. Not as open as the bouquet. (2.5) Finish: Big and long. Parallels bouquet with some bitter tannin. (2.5)
Overall: This is serious stuff. It could turn out to be even better than its NV equivalent bottled in 2000. The only worry is will the fruit outlast the substantial amount of tannin. The cassis fruit matches the tannin at present, which is promising. Cellar for 2-3 years. If drinking now, give it an hour in a decanter. A terrific price for the level of quality. (14.5)