Jay Kline

9.5

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2001 Monte Bello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, an intoxicating mix of exotic Eastern spices, some cocoa, inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate? The wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and impeccably balanced. To my palate, this bottle has reached the age when Monte Bello starts to really become interesting. What a delight! Drink now with some air, through 2051. — a day ago

Vinny Brooklyn

9.4

Second & last of my bottles. Wonderful, while ready to drink still has plenty of years ahead of it. — 5 months ago

joy horn

9.9

Bought at Pine Orchard 11/25 $70 after tasting at Ridge in 10/25. Less expensive here. The 2023 is rated at 100 pts. Absolutely delicious. Floral aromas, lightly crisp, subtle oak, smooth finish. — 8 months ago

Joan Ziegler

9.4

Something spec. Try it — 4 years ago

Chris McClellan

9.0

Big tropical fruits, lemon curd, luscious, yet retains acid in the end…maybe too much vanilla cream (oak) for me, but overall delicious after dinner and segway to whiskey around the fire…. — 5 years ago

with Michael and Ryan

Chris McClellan

9.1

Young, but delicious blueberry, ripe, some jammy notes, slightly herbal and baking spices noted. But what holds all from becoming a jelly donut is the acid. Ever present acid....fun comparing merlot from 2 distinct regions... — 6 years ago

Senator Tommelier

9.2

Big boy cab — a month ago

Kaushal Kantawala

9.2

Rich plum and dark fruit, low acidity in the mid-palate but a smooth finish. — 3 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

One of my absolute favorite California wines. The California Latour. ‘97 is superb—vividly detailed and complex with both power and elegance. A masterful balance of fruit, tertiary character and cooling acidity with a silky palate and melting tannins. Hard to beat for a Wagyu pairing. — 6 months ago

Colleen Tomasello

9.4

Excellent cab! Always great from Ridge, this one is full bodied, nicely aged (still has room to age more, but wonderful right now!, wish i had a couple more) — 9 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

Classic. Can go another 10 years. Cigar box, pencil shavings, black currant. — 5 years ago

Egan Lim

9.0

An easy everyday Bordeaux as it’s affordable. Very fruit forward with spice but finish is lacking. — 6 years ago

Julia Reinstein

9.2

making ragu with Paolo — 6 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.2

A big and bold Cali cab- a bit bold bordering on over the top power. A bit of California sweetness but fun to drink. Has many years left - saving the next bottle for a big juicy steak meal — 2 months ago

with Michael

Austin Hohnke

9.2

Only made for the U.K. market. Great wine with perfectly integrated oak. Can we please have this stateside?!? — 4 months ago

Joan Ziegler

9.2

Very smooth welcome addition to our 2025 Christmas party! What a wonderful gift that all enjoyed. Very smooth. Excellent wine.! thank you Paul. — 8 months ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.2

Great stuff — 2 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

Big and bold but polite. So very pleasant. All the plums, cherries you want with a side of vanilla. — 5 years ago

Karl Nichols

9.3

A very nice wine after 12 years in the bottle. Still lots of fruit, not over extracted, dark cherry, cassis, leather, tobacco. Agreed, it is more similar to a French style wine. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.0

Almost a 91. But a bit short. Peaches and dried nuts. A little on the viscous side and to be honest with you I really didn't know what to expect. Leaner towards the finish. If I saw this on a discount for $40, I'd buy a couple of bottles. Rearding longevity, I just don't think this one is getting any better in the bottle, so might as well drink it now. — 7 years ago

with Dan and Shay