2004 Ridge Monte Bello

The 2004 Monte Bello opens in the glass with classic aromas of cigar box, spice and crushed red and black currant fruit, revealing little obvious trace of its time in new oak. On the palate, it`s medium to full-bodied but still quite tightly wound, with a firm chassis of fine-grained tannins and a bright line of acidity that seem to demand further cellaring. I suspect it`s in a somewhat withdrawn phase between youth and maturity. That said, the 2004 isn`t as structured as another backward vintage, the 2006, nor do I believe it possesses as much potential for positive evolution. It`s a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. 92+ points