91+ 1999 Ridge Coast Range Cabernet 12/13/08 ($18)
77% Cab, 19% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot 12.5% alc
Color: Deep garnet with no clearing and not quite totally mature looking. (3.0) Bouquet: Spicy cocoa with concentrated cassis and black cherry fruit, also some acidity making it lively. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent structure (acidity and tannin), balanced by beautiful fruit. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet. Very solid, balanced and complete. Very tasty. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor and holds on about 30 seconds with concentrated cassis and a slight muskiness, making it more interesting than either the bouquet or the flavor. Also has a slight herbal component. (3.5)
Overall: An excellent Cabernet made mainly from Santa Cruz Mtns lots that were too tannic to be put in their Monte Bello or SCM bottlings. This wine was then fined and given extended cask aging before bottling. It is intense, structured and delicious with concentrated cassis fruit. Not as much distinctive SCM terroir as their other two bottlings, but still fantastic stuff for the price. Just approaching peakness. Delicious now after an hour of air, but will probably benefit from another year or two of aging. (15.5)