I have 5 pristine bottles of 2005 Ridge Monte Bello that I'd like to sell for $100 each.

Free ground shipping to whoever takes the lot.

Email is the best way to reach me: wineismylife@mac.com

Thanks for looking!

Why are you buying and selling at cost if I might ask?

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Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
Why are you buying and selling at cost if I might ask?

Why do you care, if I may ask ?

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
Why are you buying and selling at cost if I might ask?

Probably not at cost. These will have been purchased on futures at $65 per.

$100 is a good price given that the winery release price was $140 and it's an excellent vintage.

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Originally posted by Dave Tong BBP:

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
Why are you buying and selling at cost if I might ask?

Probably not at cost. These will have been purchased on futures at $65 per.

$100 is a good price given that the winery release price was $140 and it's an excellent vintage.

as an fyi, the LCBO here in Ontario has this wine for $125 per bottle

How good is the Monte Bello? Consitent? Sadly I have yet to try it but have always wanted to.

quote:

Originally posted by theweb:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Tong BBP:

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
Why are you buying and selling at cost if I might ask?

Probably not at cost. These will have been purchased on futures at $65 per.

$100 is a good price given that the winery release price was $140 and it's an excellent vintage.

as an fyi, the LCBO here in Ontario has this wine for $125 per bottle

It's $160 at BC liquor store, pirates.

quote:

wineismylife@mac.com

Are you paying Joe (the original WIML) royalties on this email address?

quote:

Originally posted by theweb:
as an fyi, the LCBO here in Ontario has this wine for $125 per bottle

It's not coming up on an LCBO search. Is it now gone, or where have you seen this OTW?

They had a few cases at QQ last week.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by theweb:
as an fyi, the LCBO here in Ontario has this wine for $125 per bottle

It's not coming up on an LCBO search. Is it now gone, or where have you seen this OTW?

There was 1 bottle left at Summerhill on Saturday

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
How good is the Monte Bello? Consitent? Sadly I have yet to try it but have always wanted to.

Very consistent. Many people consider them among the best, if not THE best, Cabernet made in the USA. However you must give them at least 10-15 years to really start to shine.

They tend not to do so well in blind tastings when young; people tend to prefer more fruit-forward wines. But give it time. The 1971 won the 2006 "Judgement of Paris" 30th anniversary rematch - see http://www.ridgewine.com/wines/Monte_bello.tml

Dave Tong, you seem to be the board's resident RMB expert, so I was wondering if you could suggest what vintages from the 80's and 90's are drinking well right now? Thanks.

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Originally posted by Dunder:
Dave Tong, you seem to be the board's resident RMB expert, so I was wondering if you could suggest what vintages from the 80's and 90's are drinking well right now? Thanks.

yhn is the board's resident expert, I'm just a cheerleader. Most of the older Monte Bello vintages I've tasted were poured at the Monte Bello futures event; they pour the current release and a 10 year old as a comparison.

Having said that, I would say you should be good to go with anything over 15 years; anything younger and be prepared to give it some time in the decanter. Three years ago they were pouring the 1992 and it was approaching, but not yet at its peak. Last month they were pouring the 1995 and again it was still improving.

Yeah, the '90s are too young. The '85 is the most highly regarded of the '80s, followed close by '84. The '86 is less intense, but drinking great right now.

Great, thanks yhn and DT, I'll be on the lookout for some 84-86 then.

Any thoughts on the '78? I'm trying to track down something for my parents 30th this year, and from what I can tell the first growths are nothing special. I've been trying to find the Insignia, but its tough to locate, so maybe MB is an option.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dunder,

these are long gone. sorry for the late reply.

quote:

Originally posted by Dunder:
Great, thanks yhn and DT, I'll be on the lookout for some 84-86 then.

Any thoughts on the '78? I'm trying to track down something for my parents 30th this year, and from what I can tell the first growths are nothing special. I've been trying to find the Insignia, but its tough to locate, so maybe MB is an option.

78 was an excellent year locally. There's a local guy in the Bay Area who organises a couple of tastings a week. Recently he's done a series of 78 retrospectives; it seems the vintage has been holding up well. Don't think they've done Monte Bello yet though. K&L recently had a case of 1978 Sycamore Creek that's drinking really well. I would have no doubt that the Monte Bello would be doing great - if you can find it.

If you have no luck locating anything and you're interested in the Sycamore Creek then shoot me a mail. Check my blog for details.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Tong BBP:

K&L recently had a case of 1978 Sycamore Creek that's drinking really well. I would have no doubt that the Monte Bello would be doing great - if you can find it.

If you have no luck locating anything and you're interested in the Sycamore Creek then shoot me a mail. Check my blog for details.

That was an awesome bottle, thanks for sharing it!

You're welcome. Nice meeting you; sorry we couldn't chat more.
And thanks for bringing the 93 Don Melchior - very interesting wine.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by theweb:
as an fyi, the LCBO here in Ontario has this wine for $125 per bottle

It's not coming up on an LCBO search. Is it now gone, or where have you seen this OTW?

there is 2 bottles left at the Atrium, and they are scanning as 2004s at $117 - about $10 less than the posted price on the tag

At the Atrium on Bay?

Dave/YHN-

Any thought on the 98 Mote Bello? I have a magnum and the notes on CT or very mixed...

Thanks,

Jeff

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Originally posted by Yogi8938:
Any thought on the 98 Mote Bello? I have a magnum and the notes on CT or very mixed...

I haven't tried it, so I can't really comment. In truth I've had very few memorable 98s from the mountains.

If it were mine then in the absence of any other tasting opportunities I would hold it for 3 more years. It's a magnum, so it should certainly take it if your conditions are reasonable. Assuming that Ridge continue as they have in the past then in May 2011 they'll be pouring barrel samples of the 2010, the latest 2008 release and a 10 year old release - the 1998. At that point you can make a decision.

On release, the '98 seemed a bit thin and weak. Though it showed some of the right stuff, it was hollow. I've heard that it's come together and is drinking well now. No hurry, and don't expect more than a shadow of what Monte Bello usually is.