Laurent-Perrier Brut NV:
Stony, yeasty and simple . . . like drinking bubbles, granite, citrus peel, toast and a “just-lit cigarette lighter?” I remember liking this in years past. Is it the new disgorgement perhaps? 84 points
Ridge Monte Bello 1998:
Sliding fast down the hill of decline the last time I had it a few years ago- this time it was just plain bad. Flat and uninspiring, tired fruit that just wants to play but can’t and little bits of acid that are hanging on for dear life. What is there escapes almost as soon as the bottle opens and by the time you get to glass two the wine is defeated. Sad but not surprising. 82 points
I read this and, having some in the cellar I thought I should pop one. Gotta agree, not their best work. Good color and some plum fruit and leather and tobacco on the nose. Very light on the palate, not a lot showing here and I don’t think it needs time. I liked it better than a low 80 pt. wine. Maybe an 85-86 Certainly, drink 'em if you got 'em. Bad year for one of the most consistent producers in CA.
I would be surprised if a Monte Bello at 11 years is dead as they are some of the consistently longest lived and improving wines from California. If it were dead I would blame it on poor storage or a bad cork normally.
That being said as John mentioned 1998 was a tough year on Cali Cabs and maybe it was even worse in the SC Mountains than in Napa.
1998 Monte Bello was not Ridge’s best effort in the first place. The wine was merely okay when it was released. That is why I was not surprised that it was done for. That being said, anything from '90-'97 is in pretty good shape right now. '98-'00 are marginal wines and '01 on are all pretty good.
Interesting. They are a bit tepid on the '91. Since that was in 2002 I’m wondering if it was a bit closed. In any case, making it tied for the lowest score in that lineup is an upset to say the least.
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