2016 Ridge Monte Bello

by ThatFrenchieGuy

22 Comments

  1. ThatFrenchieGuy

    **What is it:** Reddit’s favorite winery once more. 72/12/10/6 Cab Sauv/Merlot/Petit Verdot/Cab Franc, 100% new oak of which 2% is French. 18 months elevage

    Drinking out of a sauternes glass because it’s the first glasses I could find while unpacking

    **Price Paid:** $250 a few years ago

    **Nose:** Dark fruits (black currant, blackberry), hot iron, hot Texan dirt road, warm herbs (rosemary/thyme)

    **Palate:** Quite high acid, massive wall of tannin, then brighter blue/red fruit (cherry, red raspberry, blueberry), slight bramble and toasted oak on the finish

    **Takeaway:** This is legendary, but it needs time. It’s out of the dumb phase but it’s so primary in the fruit that you’re losing out on what makes Monte Bello great. Just drink Heitz Linda Falls if this is what you want 5/5

    **[Album Background for the Curious]** None, I just moved to a new apartment

  2. Sea_Entertainment848

    I’m moving next week and was sorely tempted to snag a bottle today! Grabbed a 2019 The Hidden instead. Thank you for the notes!

  3. corwintanner

    I have that same bottle waiting in my cellar. I’m so tempted to pop one, but your post has given me pause. I probably will anyway… sounds like delicious opportunity cost.

  4. palescales7

    I have this downstairs and you’re killing me with this

  5. TheRealVinosity

    Have the 2012 lined up for Sunday (along with a Palmer 89)

  6. olive1974

    Monte Bello s so age worthy. It will outlive you, assuming great storage. Seriously.

  7. JAmBuRriT0

    I have a 2003 I’m sitting on. Any day now! 🤤

  8. -simply-complicated

    Jeez, if you’re going to drink such expensive wine, leave a little room in the glass to swirl it so you can enjoy the nose properly.

  9. Redditholio

    I keep side-eyeing a 1996 sitting in my cellar.

  10. cmmatthews

    Just had an ’11 in Bora Bora last week. Won some in an auction from K&L. Still my favorite of all time is a ’92 Monte Bello that I had at Manresa…

    Going to the Assemblage event tomorrow at Monte Bello!

  11. Exciting-Pickle-8201

    Congrats on the new place! Moving sucks, but you found a great way to celebrate!

  12. 2016 was a great year for wine all across California

  13. movingtonewao

    Anyone here tried the more recent ridges from the post Eric Baugher era?

  14. Ok-Depth6073

    Nice ridge. Wonder how it taste in 2035-2040

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