Along with the Dunn Howell Mountain and Chateau Montelena 1985s, Ridge's Monte Bello is among the most backward wines of the vintage, but it is so promising. I do not intend to touch another bottle before 2005 - it is still that youthful and closed. It of
Wine Spectator (June 2019): 95 Points. “The 1985 Monte Bello shows an old-school edge, leading off with dark olive and bay notes. It’s a smoky-eyed beauty as it moves through, showing dried flower, mulled red currant and black cherry fruit and a long, suave finish carried by mouthwatering sanguine and chalk notes. It’s at its peak for me.” – James Molesworth
Medium-deep, amber-edged red. Superripe aromas of blackcurrant, plum, cedar, game and truffle; at once less complex and less evolved than the '84. Large-scaled, dense and fat; bigger and broader than the '84, with a compelling gamey sweetness. Rather massive in the context of Monte Bello, and developing slowly. Finishes very long, with big but fine tannins that spread out to suffuse the palate. ST
Producer: Ridge
Vintage: 1985
Varietal: Proprietary Red
Country: USA
Region: CA - Central Coast, Santa Cruz Mtns
Sub-Region: Santa Cruz
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains
Sub-Appellation: Monte Bello
SKU: #
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