Recently bought this from winebid. It claims 10.8% alcohol. Given the winery I’d be surprised if they’d just make stuff up…does anyone know how or why this would be so low? I’m intrigued…
In my experience, Paul has always been honest as to the ABV in his wines, whether high or low. 1983 was a cool and wet vintage. The weather was so challenging that some of the Ridge Zinfandels came out at 11.8% alcohol.
Open it up. I bet it’s been holding most of the water from the California drought.
This is correct 1983 was cool and wet. Ridge ended up de-classifying the Monte Bello this year.
Yep, horrible vintage. However - that may not matter. Your wine is 30 years old. It may be crap but it may be something really special. I don’t know if there would be enough material in that wine to give it much life or interest at this date, but it would be interesting to try it.
I was one of the other people who picked up a bottle of that one in that auction. Very interested to try it. I also have an '83 Ridge York Creek Cab, which comes in 12.6% and '83 Ridge Howell Mountain Cab at 11.2%. Will make a good tasting whenever I get around to it, which should probably be soon.
El Nino year, usually those are the tougher years in California. The declassed Montebello was something like $8/half bottle at the winery in the mind '90s. I want to say the listed alcohol on that was 11.3%. At a .57 sugar to alcohol conversion, that and the Jimsomare would suggest around 19 brix at harvest, give or take. Totally understandable given the conditions that year.
I had the declassified '83 Monte Bell a couple years ago. Nothing spectacular, but holding up fine.