Monte Creek Ranch

Dutton-Goldfield

Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir 2023

2023 vintage. Medium body. Well-made and solid with some complexities evident currently. Not dynamic or life-altering but a very, very excellent example of what has been, what is and what will be from this specific designation. 1.23.26. — 4 months ago

"Odedi", Bob and 14 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

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. — 5 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Buchignani Ranch Carignane 2021

Juicy and with a touch of sweetness. This was very pleasant and paired well with cheese. — 6 months ago

Tom liked this

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2005

Cedar, fruit in the background, coconut?. Mature and delicious — 6 months ago

Long Meadow Ranch

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Ted
9.1

7 years old and still a pup. Another Vino Volo DTW pick-up. Fruit is very prominent and there is a slight black licorice note that hangs on for a few seconds. — 7 months ago

Jeni
with Jeni
ESF, Ron and 7 others liked this

Anthill Farms

Campbell Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

John Howard
9.7

Prob our fave Anthill wine yet. Phenomenal! — 8 months ago

Dave, Eric and 10 others liked this

Seghesio Family Vineyards

Home Ranch Estate Alexander Valley Zinfandel 2013

Our last 2013 - took almost an hour to open up, but was so delicious — a year ago

Brian Broxson
with Brian
Bobbi Jo, Brian and 1 other liked this

Snowden

The Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Paul J
9.0

PnP. Dominated by stewed fruit which was unattractive. Cork was fine just past prime drinking window. Nice depth and texture. — 3 months ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Tom, Paul and 5 others liked this

Jamieson Ranch Vineyards

Double Lariat Limited Production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

We have been drinking this wine for 10 years now. As the fruit drops out it becomes more stringent with strong oak tannins, losing some of its depth and ease of drinking. — 5 months ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Andrew, Jan and 4 others liked this

Romano Dal Forno

Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore Corvina Blend 2013

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some dried fruits: bramble berries, slightly stewed black cherry, dried herbs, stony earth, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Grenache-based blend, Corvina-based blend or Sangiovese-based blend from France or Italy. I felt the combination of slightly stewed cherry and spices ruled out what I would want from a Sangiovese blend. Which, left me to decide between Southern Rhône or Valpolicella. I liked this wine…the oak treatment was interesting. I was getting a French barrique. Hmmm…

So, for my final conclusion: I’m calling this a Grenache-based blend, from France, from Southern Rhône, from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2017, from a more modern leaning producer using a good portion of barrique. I’ll be damned! I don’t hate my call but I gotta get better at distinguishing these wines from Southern Rhône. I probably just need to drink more of both, lol. Tasty stuff! Drink now through 2039.
— 5 months ago

Mark, Douglas and 6 others liked this
Zach D

Zach D

That’s a super tough blind tasting. Good deductive reasoning. Cheers

Kistler

Dutton Ranch Chardonnay 2016

Tasting great. Big, bold, some butter, but a ton of tropical fruit, lemon, peach, some stones. Not typically my style but I’m enjoying this 9 year old version. — 6 months ago

Tom, Ira and 1 other liked this

Emeritus Vineyards

Hallberg Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2019

Pretty color of ruby with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red and blue fruits with light wood, herbs, light vegetables, spices and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, blueberries, plums, cherries, earth, peppercorn, dark chocolates, herbs and light vegetables.

This 6 year old Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley is drinking very nicely now. Fruit forward, rich and nicely balanced. Complex and entertaining. Elegant and tangy.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets earthier as it opens up.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

I had this vintage 3 years ago, and decided to let it age a bit longer, and it is drinking so much better now.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged for 10 months in (35% new) French Oak barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50.
— 7 months ago

Ted, Doug and 6 others liked this

Turley

Mead Ranch Zinfandel 2017

This wine hits with massive brightness and blueberry flavors. But it also has excellent acidity to avoid it being sweet or fruit bomb like.

Pretty good with some age on it.
— 10 months ago

Tom, Bob and 1 other liked this

Nickel & Nickel

State Ranch Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Fruity beginning that opens up to a peppery finish. Very smooth. A bit over priced at $109. Didn’t see the complexity at that price point. — 3 months ago

Louis M. Martini

Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Oak, chocolate, and leather. Big, rich, and full. — 3 months ago

Nickel & Nickel

C.C. Ranch Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Happy Birthday Heather — 5 months ago

Brian BroxsonHeather Rostker
with Brian and Heather
Bobbi Jo, Heather and 2 others liked this
Heather Rostker

Heather Rostker

That was so good!

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Blend 2018

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) — 6 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Benito Dusi Ranch Paso Robles Zinfandel 2023

Ridge Vineyards – Zinfandel – 2023
Benito Dusi Ranch – Paso Robles – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An extraordinary single-vineyard Zinfandel from one of the most historic and consistent sites in Paso Robles. The 2023 vintage delivers depth, purity, and that unmistakable Dusi Ranch character—old-vine concentration wrapped in Ridge’s signature balance and finesse. This bottling remains one of the benchmark Zinfandels in California.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe plum, and raspberry preserve with accents of warm spice, licorice, dried herbs, and a touch of cracked pepper. Subtle cocoa and cedar from restrained oak play in the background.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity energizes the palate while fine, structured tannins keep everything focused. Long, plush, and satisfyingly powerful.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, grilled lamb chops, wood-fired pizza, smoky brisket, or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A stellar expression of old-vine Paso Robles Zinfandel, opulent, balanced, and deeply flavorful. A true standout in Ridge’s portfolio.

Did You Know?
The Dusi family has farmed this vineyard for generations, and Ridge has made wine from the site since 1967. These old vines consistently produce some of the most character-rich Zinfandel in the state, making Benito Dusi one of Ridge’s most iconic single-vineyard bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits at the very top of my favorite Zinfandels, extraordinary from start to finish, and a reminder of why Ridge continues to define the category.
— 6 months ago

Dave, Bob and 10 others liked this
Douglas Braun

Douglas Braun Influencer Badge

Amazing Vineyard an family which were Paso Robles before Paso Robles
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Nice write-up. Always one of my favorites of the Ridge stable.

Shafer Vineyards

Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2022

Lemon gold color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits with citrus, sweet floral and complex spice, no MLF. On the palate flavors of ripe melon, pineapple, apricot and honeysuckle notes with lemon zest and biscuit notes, delicate, complex and well balanced, big and full Chardonnay. Long finish, savory, ending with mineral tones and fresh finish. Will age well. Outstanding! While I usually do not decant whites, this one will benefit to breathe a bit! — 9 months ago

Tom, Andrew and 3 others liked this