A vintage that had big yields and a hectic harvest, the 1997 Monte Bello is a sexy, supple and layered beauty that's drinking beautifully today. Cassis, toasted spice, cigar and dried herbs all flow nicely to a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that has soli
Ripe and compact, with rich black cherry, plum, chocolate and cedar notes, focused and long on the finish. Has tannin to lose. Best from 2002 through 2009. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 6,338 cases made. — JL (10/2000)
(12.9% alcohol; aged for 18 months in new American oak; a 45% selection for the estate's grand vin): Bright, dark red-ruby. Sexy, lifted aromas of cassis, redcurrant, licorice, tree bark, mint and roasted herbs. Intensely flavored and surprisingly firm and energetic, with sweet plum, currant, tobacco and earth flavors lingering through a persistent finish. Tannins are firm and dusty but fine-grained. There's nothing at all over the top about this midweight, focused, juicy wine. Was it fleshier five years ago? In any event, it's still juicy and lively today.- Stephen Tanzer (9/217)
Producer: Ridge
Vintage: 1997
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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