November 5, 2012 – Wine: 1994 Ridge Monte Bello

Recalling how the 1992 Ridge Monte Bello had fallen from its peak about two years back (in the half-bottle), I was concerned that I had been sitting on this half-bottle of the 1994 for a bit too long.  There is always a bit of an emotional tug-of-war involved with opening the last bottle of anything, but even more so when the wine is such a special wine like the Monte Bello.  Well, after opening the bottle my fears were laid to rest as I discovered that this wine was still in its prime.  Of course the difference between the two vintages explains why – the 1992 was more balanced, elegant, and lush with fruit, while the 1994 featured a rich, palette-saturating intensity that worked a Schwarzenegger number on your taste buds (in a good way).  Tonight, the 1994 was more controlled and balanced, but still rich and intense, with a terrific nose I could have smelled all night and a complex palette featuring sour cherry, tobacco, leather, blackberry and plum, and minerals.  Let this wine breathe for two hours.  (It was spectacular with chocolate too.)

1994 Ridge Monte Bello