Given all the great Cabernets that have emerged from this legendary producer, the 1986 Monte Bello remains one of the winery's most monolithic as well as perplexing wines. The color is a healthy deep ruby with little signs of age, but it does not possess the saturated purple color of the great vintages. The innocuous bouquet offers up loamy, earthy, mineral, and red and blackcurrant aromas. The wine is compact and clipped, with crisp acidity and a narrowly constructed, moderately tannic finish. It does not taste old, nor does it taste particularly promising. It is straightforward and pleasant, but uninspiring.- Robert M. Parker, Jr. (08/1996)
Medium red, with brick at the rim. Evolved aromas of plum, animal fur, mocha, cedar, game and roast coffee. Supple in texture but a wine with only modest depth, nuance and flavor development. Finishes with slightly dry but light tannins and notes of leather and autumn leaves. Short by the standards of Monte Bello. ST
Producer: Ridge
Vintage: 1986
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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