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Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997
Ratings on Delectable
Jay Kline 
Flight #2 of our 1997 Retrospective and these were the thoroughbreds. Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #2 had great color, was developing, fresh, focused, balanced; great structure. One of those glasses of wine you didn’t want to end and, for me, a tough call for favorite of the flight along with Wine #1. I vacillated between this being Dominus or Monte Bello; ultimately calling the former. This is in a beautiful phase of life. Monte Bello is one of those wines that needs decades to show its best. Drink now through 2040.
Flight #2 of our 1997 Retrospective and these were the thoroughbreds. Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #2 had great color, was developing, fresh, focused, balanced; great structure. One of those glasses of wine you didn’t want to end and, for me, a tough call for favorite of the flight along with Wine #1. I vacillated between this being Dominus or Monte Bello; ultimately calling the former. This is in a beautiful phase of life. Monte Bello is one of those wines that needs decades to show its best. Drink now through 2040.
9.5
LM Segal
Mind-blowingly good. Powerful, cassis-driven nose led a silky, layered tapestry of cedar, more cassis, old red cherry and fully resolved tannins. We didn’t decant but it faded from its peak within 30 mins of PnP, so drink up.
Mind-blowingly good. Powerful, cassis-driven nose led a silky, layered tapestry of cedar, more cassis, old red cherry and fully resolved tannins. We didn’t decant but it faded from its peak within 30 mins of PnP, so drink up.
9.7
Donald Patz
Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall
Exactly what you’d expect. Focused, classic, Monte Bello - tannins have all relaxed and now it’s potent core of seething juicy, earthy, complexity is fully revealed.
Exactly what you’d expect. Focused, classic, Monte Bello - tannins have all relaxed and now it’s potent core of seething juicy, earthy, complexity is fully revealed.
9.4
Mike Saviage
Dark ruby. Opaque. Big shoulders in the nose. Notes of black cherry, forest floor, menthol, flowers. Velvet glove in the mouth. Huge wine and very smooth.
Dark ruby. Opaque. Big shoulders in the nose. Notes of black cherry, forest floor, menthol, flowers. Velvet glove in the mouth. Huge wine and very smooth.
9.4
Shay A
Half bottle and outstanding. Only bottle decanted for 30mins or so. Crushed blackberries, graphite/lead, bay leaf. At almost 21yrs old, still fairly tannic! Killer weight. Bordeaux like on the palate...a chalkiness to it, alongside leather, plum and fruit skins. Don’t be scared to let this sleep for another 5-7yrs.
Half bottle and outstanding. Only bottle decanted for 30mins or so. Crushed blackberries, graphite/lead, bay leaf. At almost 21yrs old, still fairly tannic! Killer weight. Bordeaux like on the palate...a chalkiness to it, alongside leather, plum and fruit skins. Don’t be scared to let this sleep for another 5-7yrs.
9.3
Pooneet K
One of the better bottles I’ve had in a while. This is drinking very well right now, though it definitely changed quite a lot over the course of the night - would suggest a couple hour decant. Dusty but integrated tannins, insanely precise fruit, great tension and balance, and a distinct almost menthol quality on the finish. Really an excellent wine.
One of the better bottles I’ve had in a while. This is drinking very well right now, though it definitely changed quite a lot over the course of the night - would suggest a couple hour decant. Dusty but integrated tannins, insanely precise fruit, great tension and balance, and a distinct almost menthol quality on the finish. Really an excellent wine.
9.3
Jon Anderson
Was a crime to open her so young but she yielded tobacco wrapper and currents on the nose and a long lingering finish.
Was a crime to open her so young but she yielded tobacco wrapper and currents on the nose and a long lingering finish.
9.7
James Parker Huston, CWE
Sommelier Charlie Palmer
This is an prime example of a historic Northern California First Growth. Will evolve for 15 plus more years.
This is an prime example of a historic Northern California First Growth. Will evolve for 15 plus more years.
9.6Matt Krueger
Still killing it 19 years later. Only 12.8% alcohol with nice fruit hanging on and nice silky tannin structure.
Still killing it 19 years later. Only 12.8% alcohol with nice fruit hanging on and nice silky tannin structure.
9.8Donald Patz
Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall
Love the Ridge wines. A classic. No hurry to drink.
Love the Ridge wines. A classic. No hurry to drink.
9.3
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