TN: Ridge- Monte Bello 1975-1991.

[John_Liotta]

Head-to-head I’m not sure I’ve ever thought the '94 was a better wine than the '91, and I’ve probably tasted them next to each other over the years 6 or 7 times. Most recently at the end of last year. I agree with Brad about looking at wines/bottles at a case by case/bottle by bottle basis.

[StephenCFahy]

Great lineup and thank you for your review. Well done!!!

[Brad_Kane]

@John Liotta

Head-to-head I’m not sure I’ve ever thought the '94 was a better wine than the '91, and I’ve probably tasted them next to each other over the years 6 or 7 times. Most recently at the end of last year.

Agreed. I wouldn’t consider '94 much of a standout year for them, to be honest. Typical, solid Monte Bello, but certainly not in their top tier of vintages.

[Howard_Cooper]

@Brad Kane

@Mark Golodetz

Can add a note on the 1976. It had lost its label, and I decided to open it, and was happy to see the 1976 on the cork. Color was deep, very complex nose, beautiful sweet rich wine, slightly lacking in acidity, but delicious and very easy to drink. Using the Kane scale solid A-

Bummer you couldn’t make the dinner!

Peter, I think Ridge did a great job across the board in '84, from Cabs to Zins. I had an '84 Ridge Jimsomare Cab last year that was also stellar and I’ve liked the Santa Cruz Cab, York Creek Cab and Geyserville.

Agree on the 84 Jimsomare Cab. Maybe a couple of points behind the 84 Monte Bello.

[Howard_Cooper]

@Brad Kane

@K John Joseph

All that aside, I’m not convinced any of the 1991s I’ve had, Dominus included, are going to get all that much better with another 9 years of age. I think you start fighting the battle of numbers. Most 1991s will be worse off in 9 years than they are now. You’re playing a bet if you wait.

I certainly don’t disagree that most '91’s will be worse off in nine years from now, but you really need to look at the wines case by case and all the evidence is there that the '91 Monte Bello will be in fine shape at age 30 and, depending in what you like in your wine, may even be better than it is today. Monte Bello has a fifty year history at Ridge and '91 may well be the best one they’ve made, depending on personal tastes, so the track record and ingredients are there.

I have to believe that as great as 91 was as a vintage, MOST 91s are already dead. But, I doubt well-stored Monte Bello or Montelina or a few other similarly great 91s will be worse off in 9 years.