Good deep red-ruby. Plum, cassis, black cherry and woodsmoke complicated by notes of spice, fresh herbs and mint. Dense and full in the mouth, but with excellent vinosity. Subtly sweet flavors of cassis, plum and roast coffee. Quite primary and unforthcoming, but appears to be built for a long, slow evolution in bottle. Tannins are very fine and buffered by the wine's mid-palate material. A strong showing for this wine.

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The 1993 Ridge Monte Bello (already bottled) is a tightly-wrapped, densely-colored, pure, rich, full-bodied Cabernet with moderately intense aromas of vanilla, black-raspberries, currants, and minerals. This rich wine cuts a deep path on the palate, with high tannin, adequate acidity, and a long, muscular, formidably-endowed finish. Extremely unevolved and young, it needs 7-10 years of cellaring. When young, this wine rarely reveals its full potential. Having said that, the last three vintages of the Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon (1993, 1994, and 1995) are immensely impressive, with perhaps the 1994 the least expansive - for now.

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Just what you hope for and usually get in a maturing Monte Bello. Layers of rich currant, anise, black cherry, lead pencil and pencil shavings, with touches of herb and sage. Smooth, elegant, deftly balanced, with lots of complex flavors that keep you coming back for more.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. 2,745 cases made.

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Rich, round, supple and complex, with scents of dark berries, oak and lead pencil shavings. Silky, substantial mouthfeel, balanced by fine acidity and just enough tannin for grip. Clearly lives up to its reputation as one of California's great wines. Has enough stuffing to hold for at least five more years.