Shay A

9.0

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee and this was a special treat as not only was Weston from Montagu Wines in attendance, but Jason Moore, owner and winemaker for Modus Operandi Wines out of Napa. Blind format as always. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert.

Very good, but more guessed left bank Bordeaux. Could tell this was the oldest wine on the table. It held up well, and had lovely notes of oiled leather, plum, dried cranberries and even a black truffle note. Outdone by red #2 though. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.1

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee and this was a special treat as not only was Weston from Montagu Wines in attendance, but Jason Moore, owner and winemaker for Modus Operandi Wines out of Napa. Blind format as always. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert.

One of the more crisp sparklers I’ve had. Had the chalky minerality through and through, but after a while, it gained a bruised pear note aside from the typical Granny Smith apple tartness. This will age nicely. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.5

Correction @Delectable Wine -- this is the 2013 Voluptas Eastern Hillside Cabernet. Very surprised that they had the Merlot listed but probably was because I posted the Merlot about a year or so ago. This wine opened up with some stiff competition including a 2010 Vineyard 29 Helena cab, a 2010 AltaGracia, a 2015 Montagu Cab Rutherford, and an 05 Meteor Cab. This one still did rather well. Took about an hour to get going. I was really surprised that this one didn't show more of the mushroom side, but rather showed an immense structure that could have easily spent 3 years continuing to improve. The nose was quite youthful. Blackberry jam, herb, earth. The entry was a little more toned down blackberry, lots of more youthful fruit, herb, earth, and black pepper on the finish. To me, this was in the running for th red WOTN. The white WOTN still between the Aubert, Peter Michael, and the sleeper Rodde 2011 Coombsville Chard that took everyone by surprise. This wine finished with softened tannin, and IMO even though the notes on the nose were very divergent from the AltaGracia, this wine most resembled the AltaGracia on the finish. Well done Bud! — 7 years ago

with Benjamin and Dan

Shay A

9.5

What an incredible second day here in Napa. Jesus started us off with an amazing tasting at Davies/Schramsberg, Crocker & Starr gave us our cab franc fix, Montagu & Addax put on a double tasting, and Hourglass knocked it out of the park at the end of the day! I won’t post each wine we tasted, but I’ll highlight the best from each spot.

@jesus g was a killer host. He opened up some older sparklers to compare against new releases as well as poured some very impressive JDavies reds, including the Diamond Mtn Cab. This JSchram Reserve ‘08 though was on a different level. Honeyed almond, apricot, lemon curd. Texture and acidity were seductive at 10yrs old. Happy to have one tucked away for the foreseeable future. Legit, @jesus g ! — 7 years ago

with jesus

Eric

9.5

Blue steel in a glass. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.6

Attending the Côtes du Coeur in Dallas. Was asked to be a brand ambassador for Montagu Wines, so I get to pour this weekend! Last night was the grand tasting...out of 18 or so wineries, two really stood out.

This is the second wine that really stood out, along with the Barnett Rattlesnake. Lots of similarities. Both had that Velvet and creamy texture on the palate. Lots of darker fruits on this. Pedigree really shined so you knew at first whiff this was going to be phenomenal. Kirk Venge is the winemaker. As a '14, could tell it was super young but already incredibly powerful. @Jason Oliver , I believe you are a fan of this stuff? I got to meet @Hailey Covey with Macauley and both my wife and I agreed that this was top notch! Thanks Hailey! — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.5

@Shay Aldriedge The hits just keep on coming from Shay! Thanks bud! Awesome Pinot!!! I scored this one slightly higher than the Montagu. There were a lot of similarities between the two in regards to balance &. Acidity. I found the Addax to be a little deeper and complex in regards to mouthfeel and spice note. The color reflects is a little darker as well. Both were phenomenal it I would give a small edge to the Addax. However!!!!!!!!! At almost twice the cost is it twice as good??????
I would venture to say "No". The Montagu crushes it in regards to QPR.
— 8 years ago

with Christine

Benjamin Keator

9.4

Single vineyard Cabernet rose — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Excellent single vineyard Pinot Noir. This Pinot is aged in French oak barrels and has a lush fruit taste balanced by rich earthy undertones. — 10 years ago

with Montagu

Shay A

9.3

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee and this was a special treat as not only was Weston from Montagu Wines in attendance, but Jason Moore, owner and winemaker for Modus Operandi Wines out of Napa. Blind format as always. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert.

I feel like I’d drink more Kistler if it was more consistent. When Kistler is on, it competes with the best of them, but I’ve found a few examples of where it falls on its face. Today, it was ON. Sweet lemon cream, lemon tart, honeyed hazelnut, smoky cashew. Great balance. Drink! — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee and this was a special treat as not only was Weston from Montagu Wines in attendance, but Jason Moore, owner and winemaker for Modus Operandi Wines out of Napa. Blind format as always. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert.

My first Hanzell Chardonnay I believe. I was convinced this was a white burgundy, most likely Chablis. So little acid and oak in this. Very surprised it was west coast. Great fruit profile and finish of limestone, slate, honeyed almonds, but thrown off my the fairly light mid palate. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.5

What an incredible second day here in Napa. Jesus started us off with an amazing tasting at Davies/Schramsberg, Crocker & Starr gave us our cab franc fix, Montagu & Addax put on a double tasting, and Hourglass knocked it out of the park at the end of the day! I won’t post each wine we tasted, but I’ll highlight the best from each spot.

One of the best winery visits we’ve ever done in our now 4 years is coming out. A combo of perfect weather, a great host, and no rush due to time constraints. One of the most beautiful caves I’ve ever seen. Similarities here to the Bevan cab, but this showed a bit more give and flex. Gorgeous bouquet of blue and black fruit. Plum, espresso and some dark chocolate. Loved it. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.4

What an incredible second day here in Napa. Jesus started us off with an amazing tasting at Davies/Schramsberg, Crocker & Starr gave us our cab franc fix, Montagu & Addax put on a double tasting, and Hourglass knocked it out of the park at the end of the day! I won’t post each wine we tasted, but I’ll highlight the best from each spot.

We are all die hard Cab Franc fans, so a stop here was a must after @Carl Fischer introduced me to this cab franc last year. First, the property itself is flat out gorgeous. Quaint and quiet. Awesome history here as well.

This cab franc is a BABY. New release. Red and black fruits are still fighting to take over...didn’t get much blueberry off of this like I did the ‘12, but age plays a part. Violet, lavender, black truffle and a touch of spice. A benchmark for Napa Cab Franc, alongside Arnyca and Detert. The Post 1 bottle is their current release (2013) Cabernet that is their purest expression of Cabernet from the Estate. This is serious Cabernet...tannic, structured and could compete with top end mountain wines. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Monthly wine group meet up. This month's theme was non-typical reds from Napa. Wines were tasted blind. Always a great time. 👌

@Delectable Wine , this isn't the Merlot. Good luck finding some of this out there! Since Weston sources fruit from the Hyde Vineyard for his Montagu Syrah, he works closely with the family and brought this for us to try. This is a wine the Hyde family makes just for their own consumption. I don't remember the exact makeup of this wine, but it was delicious. A lot of vanilla and raisin-y notes to it. Blackberries too. Should age a good while. Thanks, @Weston Eidson ! — 8 years ago

with Jeff, Colby and 3 others

Eric B

9.5

An amazing wine for a great price! Rivals much more expensive cabs. Glad I bought a case as I can't wait to drink another. Cheers to Montagu and Weston! — 8 years ago

Michael Piaker

9.2

3 February 2017. Frankly Wines, New York, NY. — 8 years ago

Renee Chevalier

10

Thank you for sharing this great wine Martin Rivard — 8 years ago

Eric B

9.6

Montagu does it again. Keep em coming Weston. — 9 years ago

Bill Ward

9.5

Rich and refined, persistent stone fruit. Yum — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee and this was a special treat as not only was Weston from Montagu Wines in attendance, but Jason Moore, owner and winemaker for Modus Operandi Wines out of Napa. Blind format as always. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert.

Every part of me, and most everyone else in the room, called this New Zealand SB. Never had a SB with so much grass and jalapeño pepper on the nose. More grapefruit rind came in to play later and it had a typical SB finish with acidic/stone driven notes, but what a nose! — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Today was my first time to host Wednesday Wine Committee. I’ve had the good fortune of attending on and off over the last two years and was delighted to finally host a lunch. As many of the wines I brought today I’ve posted on here before, I’m posting the white wine of the day and the red wine of the day. As always, the format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine was in play and everything was tasted blind.

As many of you know, I love Addax wines. Bevan does a wonderful job, as to be expected, and their SauvBlanc is my favorite domestic SB. Sadly, the ‘14 vintage was their last...and their one white is now a chardonnay. It is a Ritchie and Benovia vineyard combo and already tastes so incredibly well at this age. This is creamy like Bevan’s Ritchie chards with a hint of Ritchie nuttiness, but the Benovia vineyard brings about a mineral and sweet note. Great weight and finish. Few guesses of Aubert chard, Montagu Ritchie...good company to be in! — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.5

What an incredible second day here in Napa. Jesus started us off with an amazing tasting at Davies/Schramsberg, Crocker & Starr gave us our cab franc fix, Montagu & Addax put on a double tasting, and Hourglass knocked it out of the park at the end of the day! I won’t post each wine we tasted, but I’ll highlight the best from each spot.

Without a doubt the highlight of the Addax & Montagu Tasting. This ‘15 Tench Cabernet has winemaker Russell Bevan all over it. More of an iron fist in a velvet glove than I found the ‘14 to be. Red, black and blue fruits on the nose but the weight showed so much structure and appeal...best word to use here is plush. The fruit was so incredibly soft alongside the smoke, mint, and cassis. The new Addax Ritchie Chardonnay was tasted against Montagu’s Ritchie Chardonnay and it was a tie. 👌 — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Wednesday Wine Committee. As always, wines are tasted blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert.

A very rich and fruit forward Pinot. More of a sweet note compared to the Montagu. Almost leaned towards a light zin, but it revealed itself better after some air time. All fruit from the red, black and blue color spectrum. Borders the line of a cab lovers pinot. Again, I guessed this varietal correctly. ✔️ — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Wednesday Wine Committee. As always, wines are tasted blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert.

Not a lot to say on this that hasn’t been said. One of the top SBs coming out of Cali year end and year out. Melka and Arkenstone are in an echelon alone in my opinion, followed by Addax, Bevan, Montagu, and this. Bold style SB. Not overly tart or acidic. Mineral notes and beautiful texture. I guessed high end Cali SB. ✔️ — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.6

Attending the Côtes du Coeur in Dallas. Was asked to be a brand ambassador for Montagu Wines, so I get to pour this weekend! Last night was the grand tasting...out of 18 or so wineries, two really stood out.

This was so freaking good. I know @Shawn R is a big fan of their stuff and this was my first time trying anything from Barnett (need to try their cab franc). This and the Macauley To Kalon were neck and neck for WOTN. Velvety in texture. Pure toasted oak, vanilla, black and blueberry pie. Superb balance. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Another awesome tasting at the weekly Wine Committee. Always such a treat when I get invited to taste such wonderful wines blind! Got to taste with Weston, the owner of Montagu, as he attends these fairly often. Should of known there would be a Montagu sighting!

It's no secret I love Montagu. It's been great seeing the quality of each vintage build upon itself, and it was the first time I'd tasted the '13 and '14 back to back. Montagu has been trying a few different vineyards for their chards, but the difference in no malolactic fermentation ('13) vs malo ('14) is becoming more clear. Love the purity of the '13. It was hard guessing these as they were whites 1 and 3, with a curveball for number 2! — 8 years ago

with Weston

Shay A

9.6

Finally have a bit of time to update my tasting notes from my visit to Napa the past few days. Did a bit of work for Montagu Wines, and enjoyed a ridiculous amount of wine, and good wine at that.

Russell Bevan is making wine at Brasswood, where we are for Montagu, so it was great meeting the larger than life man that he is. He was kind enough to share a glass of his Tin Box cab with us while we were all together and this wine represents him perfectly. This is a bold, in your face cab, that blows big fruit on the nose, and gripping tannins that want to beat you like a pulp, then let go just as soft as they were strong. Big boy cab, ladies and gentlemen. — 9 years ago

Colby Siratt

9.6

Surprising how similar it is to a great Provence Rose. Hard to find this style from a US producer. Dry, mineral and peach flavors, great acidity. — 10 years ago