1986 Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Bello

Medium dark garnet, brownish around the rim. Open nose of red cherry, chassis and cedar. Red cherry and currant fruit flavors with hints of tobacco and forest floor, high acid, soft tannins, and a long fruity finish. This is an elegant, mature California Cabernet that still has lots of fruit intensity and complexity. While is shows no signs of decline, it is not going to get any better. It is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. My rating 93.

It would have been interesting have tasted the 1986 Caymus and 1983 Pichon Lalande with this wine, but I had them all on different nights over the Christmas week. The 1983 Pichon Lalande and the 1986 Monte Bello had a lot of similar fruit flavors.