Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello 1997

Jancis Robinson: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. 172 tons from 83.5 acres. Torrential winter rains were followed by a long, mild spring, early flowering and unusually large yields ­– they dropped nearly 20% of the crop, bringing yields down to two tons per acre. Earliest vintage since 1962. Indigenous-yeast primary fermentation and malolactic conversion of each vineyard section separately. 18 months in barrel (90% new air-dried American oak, 10% new French oak). Magnum. Very deep blackish garnet. Saline edge on massive ripeness. Dry finish and really sappy. Beautifully balanced. Still some acidity. 18.5/20 (2022)

Jeff Leve: Medium/full bodied, with a fresh, vibrant, crisp, clean personality, the serves up a beautiful display of fresh, ripe, cherries and plums with the right amount of lift to keep things going. But it lacks the weight and depth of the better vintages for this often stunning wine. 92/100 (2015)

Falstaff: Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, intensive violette Reflexe, in der ­Nase intensiv nach Sauerkirsche, Morello, zart vegetal, mineralischer Grundton, am Gaumen ein sehr finessenreicher Wein, dunkle Beeren, perfekt sitzende Tannine, zeigt einen beachtlichen Schliff, aus einem Guss, tolle Länge und Süße, bereits antrinkbar. Eleganz pur. 93/100

Decanter: The sumptuous fruit on the nose makes this a more overtly fruity Monte Bello than many other vintages, and the oak is still in evidence too. It's rich and supple but also very concentrated and distinctly tannic, with some edgy acidity. Although not especially harmonious, the finish is sleek and punch with good persistence. 93/100 (2022)