Privileged to sample the 2016 Monte Bello at the winery as part of their Library offerings. The bottle is $375 at the winery. Tight and tannic after 8 years (and half an hour of decanting) but promising much more. Josh at the winery concedes that it’s in a dumb phase but should reach its peak in 20-30 years. I could analyze and pick apart this one for hours. — 4 months ago
Now that’s fine! Caught it just right, any longer and it would be falling off, but this is in a really nice spot. Gorgeous wine. Prune, tobacco, tar, roasted game, eucalyptus. — 6 months ago
Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine is a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with some significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of plums, dark brambles, cocoa, cedar box, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The alcohol is medium++. This is big and fancy and tastes, expensive. Initial conclusions: this could be Merlot, Malbec, or Syrah from the USA, Argentina or France. However, the wine wasn’t purple enough for Malbec and I didn’t get any rotundune for me to chose Syrah. The tannins were silky smooth and the fruit was generous, plush and slightly tart which gave me a clue about the vintage. Since I felt like this wine leaned toward its fruit, my final conclusion is that this is Merlot, from the USA, from California, from Napa Valley, 2018 vintage. Boom! I think this is drinking really well right now and it hides its alcohol (15.6%!) remarkably well. Drink now and through 2028. — 6 months ago
Fabulous. Think. Full earthy. Well you know. Everything you should get. Very special bottle for us. Wife and I where in Napa , valentines week. BTW. The best week of the year to vacation there. No crowds or traffic. We valentine dinner deep into their wine caves. 5 course tasting and meal. Band. Dancing. We won this bottle just for being the furthest travelled. Drinking an 06. That we received in 09. In New Paltz for a weekend getaway. Nov 17, 2023. — 7 months ago
As warmed up...solid layers of lemon from core to skin. Layers of subtle sugar and briney evolution. — 3 years ago
Light red fruits, raspberry, cranberry, cherry, baking spices, cherry cola. Light on the tannins — 4 years ago
I usually tend toward Pinot Noir, but when I want something just a bit bolder, Gamay hits the spot. I have really been enjoying this 2015 vintage. — 6 years ago
Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 9 years ago
Ridge makes great wines across the board. — 3 months ago
Dark maroon color. Jammy and fruit forward but not sweet - dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, dark chocolate, warm spice. Medium body with smooth mouth feel and soft tannins. Paired well with homemade pizza (pepperoni, roasted mushrooms, onions and basil). Will make a very nice table wine - planning to pick up several bottles for upcoming family reunion! — 4 months ago
Great 2022 blend — 6 months ago
Aging gracefully, great nose, well integrated tannins, a pleasure on Thanksgiving! — 7 months ago
A Zinfandel for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers. Big and bold with oak, leather, cherry, and earthy notes. — 9 months ago
From nice :) — 4 years ago
Cheap and cheery! — 6 years ago
Total wine siesta key — 3 months ago
KSA Progressive Party 🍷 — 7 months ago
Enjoying this, though it’s lower tannin than you might find a cab from other CA regions. Blackberry and leather on the nose that moves toward dark chocolate as it opens up. A bit earthy but some dark fruit too. Smooth and velvety, probably not going to age better from here. — 10 months ago
My favorite Syrah. Vanilla, baked red fruit, baking spices, and soft finish. Simply the best! — 6 years ago
Full flavor. Not too jammy. — 7 years ago
Vince Monaco
2022 Joy Road - Dark purplish with fruit, spice, and hint of licorice. Smooth finish. Excellent — 3 months ago