This weekend 22-23 May 2004, Ridge Vineyards in California opens house for a
second public showing of its current year of Monte Bello Cabernet (2003,
available for advance purchase through this month, www.ridgewine.com). Each
sees an annual assembly of wine parcels from the previous harvest, entailing
two public barrel samplings (March with separate parcels, then final or
near-final assemblage in May) with sometimes older vintages sampled also.
I think it is a gracious custom. (Ridge has quietly produced a traditional,
individual, long-aging California Cabernet for more than 40 years, predating
all currently fashionable US wine critics, "cult" wines, most US wineries,
and many of their employees and customers). Paul Draper, winemaker
emeritus, was recently on the cover of the US _Wine Spectator_ magazine
which might enhance public interest, as did the _Decanter_
winemaker-of-the-year cover a few years back.

I plan to visit and taste ten hours from now -- it is convenient because I
am not far away. Should anyone read this in time and find it convenient
also, the hours are 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM both days. Of course it would be
technically possible for most people in North America (three large
countries, Newfoundland, and several other island countries) or even further
away to reach the winery this weekend if they heard in time. (That is like
when in Hong Kong once for two days and eight small meals I telephoned my
cousin in rural western China. She insisted "you could join me in as little
as ten hours," which I conceded, but pleaded that I would arrive just in
time to return. So I understand if anyone must reluctantly miss Ridge with
this notice.)

Max