"Toddlering" dot com - yes, 2013 Ridge Monte Bello...had to do it, and NOT disappointed

Message

#1 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » November 29th, 2018, 7:09 pm

2013 Ridge Monte Bello - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (11/29/2018)
Yes, 'toddlering' (substitute for babykilling)...I know...but 'the boss' (my wife) insisted on drinking a Monte Bello if I was to keep buying them vintage after vintage, and this was the first vintage I bought into, and a good 'early drinking' example, so this was it.

Decanted for two hours, no sneak previews whatsoever, and upon first pour the nose was explosive in its perfume, really expressive and unique. There are obvious Cab Sauv/Bordeaux blend characteristics like kirsch, sandalwood, bright red fruits, but there's a really unique quality to it, perhaps fennel? It's one of those aromas that is so complex you need a PhD to outline each specific scent - black, red, and blue fruits, cedar, oak, smokiness (but not too much), heavily tanned saddle leather, and a MASSIVE dose of what I would call nearly-baked sugar cookies - doughy but not raw, parts from both but if you pulled one out you'd get a lot of vanilla but also that toasty cookie goodness. The palate delivers brightness and weight, acidity and richness simultaneously, a true delight for your senses overall.

I know this is meant to enjoy in 20 or more years but holy hell is it wonderful right now. Honestly I can't think of a wine much better than this at the moment. If only I used points...

#2 Post by **Eric S n y d e r** » November 29th, 2018, 8:31 pm

Stellar!

One of the best wine experiences lodged in my brain was the 2007 Monte Bello, decanted and drank at the Stonehouse Restaurant in Montecito in 2010.

#3 Post by **Sc0tt F!tzger@ld** » November 29th, 2018, 8:51 pm

Great note. Have 3 of these sleeping away. Love how Ridge’s description says it will basically continue to evolve for 35 years.

#4 Post by **R. Frankel** » November 29th, 2018, 8:56 pm

I visited Ridge in Sonoma a few weeks ago and popped for the Monte Bello flight (2006, 2007 and 2015). The ‘15 was young bright and very intense but certainly a linear fruit and tannin experience. A great wine I’m glad I have in my cellar.

But the 2006 and 2007 were by comparison so much more. Intense dark fruit, earth, balance, very long and extremely delicious. Sublime? Close. The 2007 seemed the readier of the two, with more sweetness and balance. The 2006 was bigger and earthier, but the tannins were still very present. Drink the 2007 now and for decades. The 2006 needs another 5+ years at least.

My point? These are excellent well made wines, enjoyable young. But patience is very very well rewarded. With 10+ years they become much more special. Who’s surprised?

#5 Post by **Chris H.** » November 29th, 2018, 9:07 pm

R. Frankel wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2018, 8:56 pm
I visited Ridge in Sonoma a few weeks ago and popped for the Monte Bello flight (2006, 2007 and 2015). The ‘15 was young bright and very intense but certainly a linear fruit and tannin experience. A great wine I’m glad I have in my cellar.

But the 2006 and 2007 were by comparison so much more. Intense dark fruit, earth, balance, very long and extremely delicious. Sublime? Close. The 2007 seemed the readier of the two, with more sweetness and balance. The 2006 was bigger and earthier, but the tannins were still very present. Drink the 2007 now and for decades. The 2006 needs another 5+ years at least.

My point? These are excellent well made wines, enjoyable young. But patience is very very well rewarded. With 10+ years they become much more special. Who’s surprised?

Thanks for the tasting note on the 2013 Ridge Monte Bello, I first saw on Cellar Tracker, and glad there is a thread here too.

In May, I too did the Monte Bello flight, and the 2006, and 2007 were showing really well. I thought the same, with the 2007 showing very well, the 2015 was just a baby, so it made for an interesting tasting. I just wish I had several bottles of well aged Monte Bello!

Maxwell A. · #6 Post by **Maxwell A.** » November 29th, 2018, 9:38 pm

Thanks for the Monte Bello notes, everyone. This is on my list of wines to try/buy but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. It's getting tougher as I saw the price increase almost $50 for the 2015 (750) and $20 for the 375s where I usually shop...

YouTube · #7 Post by **SeanHarding** » November 29th, 2018, 10:33 pm

I have vintages going back to 2007 and I think I've only ever opened one. I have 4 bottles of the 2013, so maybe I should pop one soon...

Martin Steinley · #8 Post by **Martin Steinley** » November 29th, 2018, 11:30 pm

A couple of years back, there was a discussion to drop "babykilling" from the vocabulary on this board. I look forward to the day that actually happens. Surely, with a moments thought, one can identify a more appropriate descriptor.

CarterBenjamin · #9 Post by **CarterBenjamin** » November 30th, 2018, 12:48 am

Was going to comment on CT, but checked here first...I'm in the same boat, and now have 2012-2015 (with 16' and 17' pending delivery) --- I have tasted older vintages at the winery, but have really been itching to open one as well. Isn't part of the fun to see a wine evolve?

Price has increased quite a bit even in the last few years, but I'll hang on at least one more year and see how 19' and 20' look going forward. Even at $124, while an expensive wine, it is easy to justify looking around the world of wine and something I'll willing to continue to buy for now.

Thanks for the inspiration and great tasting note, maybe I'll pop one open on Christmas!

#10 Post by **dcornutt** » November 30th, 2018, 1:53 am

This is still one of the very best of the Cali cabs/blends to me. Great note Todd.

#11 Post by **Neal.Mollen** » November 30th, 2018, 4:25 am

Thanks for making the sacrifice (that doesn't appear to have been much of a sacrifice) Todd. Like others, I have a bunch of MB in the cellar but have actually drunk none that I've bought from the producer (and only a couple elsewhere). I am not sure I could bring myself to pull the cork so early but you've put ideas in my head . . . .

#12 Post by **Jim Stewart** » November 30th, 2018, 4:52 am

Martin Steinley wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2018, 11:30 pm
A couple of years back, there was a discussion to drop "babykilling" from the vocabulary on this board. I look forward to the day that actually happens. Surely, with a moments thought, one can identify a more appropriate descriptor.

I agree. Even with the quotes and the metaphorical context, it's a disturbing word.

#13 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » November 30th, 2018, 5:39 am

Todd F r e n c h wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2018, 7:09 pm
and a MASSIVE dose of what I would call nearly-baked sugar cookies - doughy but not raw, parts from both but if you pulled one out you'd get a lot of vanilla but also that toasty cookie goodness.

Eek that sounds horrid, did you pair it with ice-cream?!?

I keed, I keed - well, only a bit - this is my issue with the winery that I have followed for decades. I have stopped buying most bottlings, wish they would switch to French Oak, but i'm beating a toasted drum! The 2013 Estate Cab and 2013 Torre Ridge bottlings show a very similar, predominant vanilla toast profile. I will acknowledge over time that the MB handles newer American Oak better than most other bottlings.

Fred Bower · #14 Post by **Fred Bower** » November 30th, 2018, 6:18 am

When you can catch Monte Bello young and open, it is worth the early look. I used to open a bottle of every vintage when the futures came in, but have stopped after a few years of missing the open part and feeling that I had wasted a tremendous amount of potential. With the special cuvees in '13, I ended up with more things Monte Bello, so I think this is getting opened soon given your result.

Cheers,
fred

#15 Post by **Rick Allen** » November 30th, 2018, 7:10 am

Todd F r e n c h wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2018, 7:09 pm

2013 Ridge Monte Bello - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (11/29/2018)
Yes, babykilling...I know...but 'the boss' (my wife) insisted on drinking a Monte Bello if I was to keep buying them vintage after vintage, and this was the first vintage I bought into, and a good 'early drinking' example, so this was it.

Decanted for two hours, no sneak previews whatsoever, and upon first pour the nose was explosive in its perfume, really expressive and unique. There are obvious Cab Sauv/Bordeaux blend characteristics like kirsch, sandalwood, bright red fruits, but there's a really unique quality to it, perhaps fennel? It's one of those aromas that is so complex you need a PhD to outline each specific scent - black, red, and blue fruits, cedar, oak, smokiness (but not too much), heavily tanned saddle leather, and a MASSIVE dose of what I would call nearly-baked sugar cookies - doughy but not raw, parts from both but if you pulled one out you'd get a lot of vanilla but also that toasty cookie goodness. The palate delivers brightness and weight, acidity and richness simultaneously, a true delight for your senses overall.

I know this is meant to enjoy in 20 or more years but holy hell is it wonderful right now. Honestly I can't think of a wine much better than this at the moment. If only I used points...

So did you get the go-ahead to keep buying?

#16 Post by **Alan Eden** » November 30th, 2018, 7:13 am

Jim Stewart wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 4:52 am

Martin Steinley wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2018, 11:30 pm
A couple of years back, there was a discussion to drop "babykilling" from the vocabulary on this board. I look forward to the day that actually happens. Surely, with a moments thought, one can identify a more appropriate descriptor.
I agree. Even with the quotes and the metaphorical context, it's a disturbing word.

Not as disturbing as opening a 13 Monte Bello

#17 Post by **R. Frankel** » November 30th, 2018, 7:46 am

I too have a growing collection of recent vintage MBs. My solution was to hunt down some older ones (1996, 1999) and drink those. Worth the wait! There are lots of these out in the market though they are not cheap. The secret is out!

#18 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » November 30th, 2018, 7:57 am

Rick Allen - yes, I have the go-ahead, fortunately. This was one vintage I was able to double up on ordering, too, so I purchased 4 instead of 2.

Alan, not disturbing at all, actually. I was scared, and regretted it at first but once I experienced it, I couldn't have been happier. That said, I'm going to work my hardest to keep the rest under lock and key for a bit.

As for 'babykilling' I HATE the word as well, which is why I used it in quotes. Let's crowd-think this into a new term and coin it, so let me know your thoughts.

#19 Post by **Mike Evans** » November 30th, 2018, 8:48 am

I suppose that “vinfanticide” raises the same concerns as “babykilling”?

#20 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » November 30th, 2018, 8:49 am

L’enfanting

#21 Post by **Tariq K** » November 30th, 2018, 8:59 am

Yes, please, someone else join me in drinking their wines too young... They're great that way, I promise!

Here are some ideas:
Puppycrushing (as in crushing bottles of wine, not like crushing in a press)
Twilighting (teenage vampirism)
Kindertrinking (faux-German variant)

#22 Post by **Jim Stewart** » November 30th, 2018, 9:29 am

oldies but (maybe not) goodies:
-"robbing the cradle"
-"jumping the gun"
other thoughts:
-"cradle popping"
-"rushing roulette"

#23 Post by **T. Melloni** » November 30th, 2018, 10:22 am

Inceptive inquisition.
Embryonic exploration.
Grape juice drinkin'.

As to earlier vintages, anyone have the 02 or 04 recently?

#24 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » November 30th, 2018, 10:36 am

Saying 'babykilling' in another language is not a good substitute. I like twilighting but that sounds more like the END of a wine's life, not early, particularly as the movie/books Twilight are losing impact.

Budding Bottle?
Fledgling-ing?
Tenderfooting?
Pubescicide?

#25 Post by **T. Melloni** » November 30th, 2018, 10:40 am

Todd F r e n c h wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 10:36 am
Pubescicide?

Death by pubes?

#26 Post by **Tariq K** » November 30th, 2018, 10:43 am

Youthanasia

(yes, I recognize this is also the title of a Megadeth album)

#27 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » November 30th, 2018, 10:58 am

Tariq K wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 8:59 am
Puppycrushing (as in crushing bottles of wine, not like crushing in a press)

Us dog lovers will kick your butt!

#28 Post by **Tariq K** » November 30th, 2018, 11:07 am

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 10:58 am

Tariq K wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 8:59 am
Puppycrushing (as in crushing bottles of wine, not like crushing in a press)
Us dog lovers will kick your butt!

Yeah that's not my best work

#29 Post by **T. Melloni** » November 30th, 2018, 11:23 am

Anything with "crushing" reeks of John Kapon and Twelve Angry Men.

#30 Post by **Mark Golodetz** » November 30th, 2018, 12:01 pm

How about winewasting?

Fred Bower · #31 Post by **Fred Bower** » November 30th, 2018, 12:05 pm

Pobega'ing has been a term I picked up, but I think it already has an association with raiding a delivered box before it even gets into the cellar.
If you do this a few more times, we can call it Frenching!

Cheers,
fred

#32 Post by **Craig G** » November 30th, 2018, 12:11 pm

Toddlering.

#33 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » November 30th, 2018, 12:19 pm

Craig G wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 12:11 pm
Toddlering.

This wins. Multiple meanings.

#34 Post by **lleichtman** » November 30th, 2018, 12:35 pm

Scott Fitzgerald wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2018, 8:51 pm
Great note. Have 3 of these sleeping away. Love how Ridge’s description says it will basically continue to evolve for 35 years.

I have two of these from allocation and wish I could continue to evolve for 35 years as well.

#35 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » November 30th, 2018, 1:01 pm

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 12:19 pm

Craig G wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 12:11 pm
Toddlering.

This wins. Multiple meanings.

HA! Awesome! Potential to catch on, though 'babykilling' is obvious, 'toddlering' is similar and non-offensive. Ok, folks, use it in social media! Make it stick

#toddlering

#36 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » November 30th, 2018, 1:08 pm

And Todd toddlering can lead to Todd being seriously toddlered:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define. ... =Toddlered

#37 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » November 30th, 2018, 1:24 pm

BTW, Pobega-ing is completely different, as no way Mike Pobega lets a wine age 6 years, much less 30 or so that these babies need. Pobega-ing is when you blast open a bottle fresh from the FedEx delivery - open the box, open the wine.

#38 Post by **Chris Seiber** » November 30th, 2018, 1:28 pm

Martin Steinley wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2018, 11:30 pm
A couple of years back, there was a discussion to drop "babykilling" from the vocabulary on this board. I look forward to the day that actually happens. Surely, with a moments thought, one can identify a more appropriate descriptor.

Louis CK:

"It was so okay to beat your wife until so recently, that today we have a kind of shirt named after it. There is a piece of clothing in our culture, affectionately nicknamed, after beating the crap out of your wife. And for some reason, this is offensive to nobody. I saw a woman on Good Morning America, she said "I was walking around the house in my wifebeater." I'm like, stop saying it like it's not horrible!"

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live ... ue/2768583 (that part is in the last minute or so, but the whole monologue is exceptional)

#39 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » November 30th, 2018, 1:44 pm

Chris Seiber wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 1:28 pm

Martin Steinley wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2018, 11:30 pm
A couple of years back, there was a discussion to drop "babykilling" from the vocabulary on this board. I look forward to the day that actually happens. Surely, with a moments thought, one can identify a more appropriate descriptor.
Louis CK:

"It was so okay to beat your wife until so recently, that today we have a kind of shirt named after it. There is a piece of clothing in our culture, affectionately nicknamed, after beating the crap out of your wife. And for some reason, this is offensive to nobody. I saw a woman on Good Morning America, she said "I was walking around the house in my wifebeater." I'm like, stop saying it like it's not horrible!"

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live ... ue/2768583 (that part is in the last minute or so, but the whole monologue is exceptional)

Not as effective when the quote comes from an admitted sexual predator, but yeah, definitely interesting

#40 Post by **Alan Eden** » November 30th, 2018, 1:48 pm

Toddlering sounds terrible, it implies sex with very young kids. If Babykilling is offensive then Toddlering is even more so. " i toddlered with my neice " would you want that in your volcabulary ?

Somebody suggested Frenching in a similar manner to Pobegaring, who on this board is the member most associated with drinking young powerful wines before they are ready ? use that name, if its Todd great if someone else than also fine. Golodetzing a wine can mine leaving it until its on life support with all fruit long since left the building.

#41 Post by **Greg K** » November 30th, 2018, 1:53 pm

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 1:08 pm
And Todd toddlering can lead to Todd being seriously toddlered:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define. ... =Toddlered

Unsurprisingly, I'm being told I can't view this at work because it is "tasteless"

#42 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » November 30th, 2018, 1:55 pm

My palate has been called worse!

Marc Frontario · #43 Post by **Marc Frontario** » November 30th, 2018, 2:09 pm

Alan Eden wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 1:48 pm
Toddlering sounds terrible, it implies sex with very young kids. If Babykilling is offensive then Toddlering is even more so. " i toddlered with my neice " would you want that in your volcabulary ?

Somebody suggested Frenching in a similar manner to Pobegaring, who on this board is the member most associated with drinking young powerful wines before they are ready ? use that name, if its Todd great if someone else than also fine. Golodetzing a wine can mine leaving it until its on life support with all fruit long since left the building.

We decided 'Baby seal clubbing' will be the new terminology...Todd is signing the decree as I speak.

#44 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » November 30th, 2018, 2:16 pm

Might as well go back to babykilling at this point.

#45 Post by **Howard Cooper** » November 30th, 2018, 2:18 pm

Young Monte Bello is really excellent. Mature Monte Bello is truly great. My favorite California wine.

#46 Post by **Robert.A.Jr.** » November 30th, 2018, 2:19 pm

How about Premature Poppaging?

I like baby seal clubbing, but that’s our cycling terminology when we put the hammer down on the Freds and crush them.

#47 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » November 30th, 2018, 2:20 pm

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2018, 2:19 pm
How about Premature Poppaging?

I like baby seal clubbing, but that’s our cycling terminology when we put the hammer down on the Freds and crush them.

Premature Popping? Premature Particulating? Premature Pardoning Preservationist Popping?

#48 Post by **Sc0tt F!tzger@ld** » November 30th, 2018, 2:46 pm

How 'bout just "Todding" - when you know and do wait a few years to open, but then still pop it early.

ChrisU · #49 Post by **ChrisU** » November 30th, 2018, 3:03 pm

Premature Evacuation?

Stoked to read your notes as it is a birth year wine for one of my kids (we have a mag + 2 750's tucked away in the cellar)

#50 Post by **Jim Stewart** » November 30th, 2018, 3:23 pm

"hasty-tasted" or "hasty-tasting"

I just "hasty-tasted" a 2013 Ridge Monte Bello !