($120; 13.4% alcohol; 75% cabernet sauvignon, 23% merlot and 2% cabernet franc) Bright, saturated ruby-red. Exotic aromas of black raspberry, chocolate and black licorice. Deeply sweet, sappy and ripe, with heady, mouthfilling flavors of black cherry, cassis, cola and incense. Finishes with broad tannins and mouthcoating persistence.

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Lively crimson. Interesting floral/lily aromas. Dry and sappy and sleek ? reasonably subtle and interesting. Not a monster by any means. Mountain wine? Rather tough tannins ? and some oak influence.

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The 2000 Monte Bello Proprietary Red (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc) is a surprisingly forward example of a Ridge Monte Bello. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by sweet toasty oak along with creme de cassis, licorice, and resin-like aromas. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, and elegant with soft tannin as well as a forward style (surprising in view of winemaker Paul Draper's typical style), I would not be surprised to see it firm up considerably in the bottle, and last for 12-13 years.

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Well-proportioned if on a modest scale, with complex aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, black cherry and enticing flowers and herbs. Concentrated and vibrant, with fine balance and well-integrated tannins. Should age well over the next decade. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 4,000 cases made.

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corked!