1999 Ridge Monte Bello

Wow. The wine had it all. Fruit and earth on the nose and palate. The thing that haunts me is the amazing balance of tannin, acid and alcohol. Simply amazing. 

1999 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow

Tasted without decanting. Big cassis nose with hints of dark cherry and oak. Somewhat aggressive tannins that overpowered the cassis and cranberry. Wood notes enter mid palate with light acid. 

   I expected better, but you could definitely taste the quality. I have absolutely no doubt this would have been what I wanted with an hour or two in a decanter.