Not really Cab Sauv.....

[Kcwhippet]

but Cab Franc. We have a friend out on the West coast who's a big fan of Ridge wines, and he's become somewhat close with Paul Draper. While they were tasting the components of what was to become the 2002 Monte Bello, Draper mentioned that one barrel of the Cab Franc from the North Gate block was particularly exceptional so they tasted that also. My friend said it was too good to be blended into the final product and should be bottled separately. Draper said they'd never bottled a Cab Franc by itself before, but our friend persisted and Ridge ended up with about 25 cases of 2002 Ridge Monte Bello 100% Cabernet Franc. Our friend was kind enough to get me 6 bottles of it and I was going to open the last one this evening for dinner with a friend who's down in the dumps after his marriage just went bust. He's a wine distributor, so I know he'd truly appreciate it, but he just called and has a bit of a problem wih one of his kids and can't make it. So, now I have a dilemna. Judy gets home Saturday night after two weeks at a trade show in Vegas. Do I make her a nice dinner Sunday with grilled rib eyes, baked potatoes and a Caesar salad, along with the Ridge, or should I wait until the wine guy is available and serve it then? What to do, what to do. As far as I know, this is the only Monte Bello Cab Franc Ridge has ever bottled, and my friend said Draper told him they probably never would again.

[hotwine]

I'd save it for the poor guy. You've got lots of tasty stuff to use for your lovely.

[winoweenie]

My2c. Tell your friend how fortunate he is to have unlocked the Ball&Chain and open the bottle for sweet Judy.WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 06-25-2010).]

[TheEngineer]

Glad that there is 5 bottles left of this so that we can get some next time [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

[Innkeeper]

I guess this is no run of the mill Cab Franc. If it were I would go for something more traditional with the rib eys, and save the Cab Franc for your friend and serve duck.

[Kcwhippet]

Eng, There aren't 5 left. This is the last of the 6 I got.

I think I just might go with WW's advice. After all, I have to live with Judy (forever) and I'm thinking that my friend will not only be able to find something nice in the cellar, but since he's employed by one our premier distributors, he has access to wines way out of my price range. He mentioned he was going to bring over something really special. So, I think I'll open it with Judy on Sunday and let him bring over something of his, and maybe also open something from the cellar.

[winoweenie]

ATTA'BOY!!!!!!ww