Monte Smith

Louis M. Martini

Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Oak, chocolate, and leather. Big, rich, and full. — 4 months ago

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2016

Buen rioja, aunque no creo que esta cosecha nos de esta textura y bouquet. — 5 months ago

Shaw and Smith

Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2016

We had the battle of the Shiraz at our family gathering over Christmas. A Shiraz from South Australia and South Africa. Both 2016. This Shiraz, despite from the Adelaide Hills where I think it is a little cooler, was very rich, very bold and broad and a slight jammy note on the edge perhaps. People liked it, but all the votes when for the Shiraz of Cederberg from South Africa. Fun!!! — 5 months ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Tammy, Tom and 7 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.
— 6 months ago

Mark, Douglas and 6 others liked this
Zach D

Zach D

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

Charles Smith

Kungfu Girl Washington State Riesling 2023

Light sweet and crisp more of a spring time wine than a fall but would definitely get again! — 7 months ago

Bedrock Wine Co.

Monte Rosso Sonoma Valley Zinfandel 2012

Decanted for 2 hours. Still big, no signs of fading. Did not drink enough before it was consumed to review properly, but seemed a touch sweet. — 3 years ago

Charles Smith

M.C.K. (Motor City Kitty) Syrah 2022

Beast! Big, burly, brooding, and bawesome.
Rich and gamey with smoky olive brine and savory layers of earth. Tucking a couple away.
— 4 months ago

Tom, Steve and 3 others liked this

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Grand Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

So underrated and punching way above its weight class. Bit more delicate and pure than your high end Boudreaux. Perfect for seaside dinners. Great vintage too. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister, Sagee and 13 others liked this
Sagee Aran

Sagee Aran Premium Badge

I have 2 bottles from this vintage. Would you wait or open now?
Ericsson

Ericsson

Has potential for further aging but drinking great now.

Smith Madrone

Spring Mountain District Riesling 2017

Ming L
9.4

The petrol note is pronounced, yet beautifully integrated. Citrus and tropical tones emerge on the nose, joined by a faint wisp of smoke. The palate has Viognier-like texture, lending weight and shape, while bright, clean-cut acidity is balanced by just a touch of residual sweetness.

It’s puzzling that Napa Valley can produce Riesling of this caliber!
— 5 months ago

Severn and Tom liked this

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Le Petit Haut Lafitte Red Bordeaux Blend 2022

KP
9.8

Vibrant color. Wow, it’s like the Little Red Riding-hood porridge of wine. Not too dry, bold, acidic, long, short or tannic. Just right! Absolutely delicious. Would absolutely buy again and one of the best wines I’ve had in a long time. — 6 months ago

"Odedi" liked this

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2005

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

Monte Bernardi

Retromarcia Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2022

Nice. Old school not very funky but nice — 8 months ago

Myriad Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Mike Smith should be knighted. — 4 years ago

Mike liked this

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Pessac-Léognan Blanc White Bordeaux Blend 2020

Brilliant and complex wine. Personally i couldnt find any hint of sauvignon blanc on the nose and it reminds me more of a chardonnay. Great use of wood and acidity. Will improve in the coming years. Highly recommmend! Served with roasted cauliflower soup — 4 months ago

Bob, Pooneet and 23 others liked this

Romano Dal Forno

Monte Lodoletta Amarone della Valpolicella Corvina Blend 2017

Despite a 17 pct alcohol level this wine is perfectly in balance. Blood sausage, long afterburn rather sweet. — 5 months ago

Andrew, Brecht and 1 other 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. — 6 months ago

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

Charles Smith

The Velvet Devil Washington State Merlot 2014

k
8.9

Balanced with front fruit and decent body. No overpowering aspects. — 7 months ago

Smith Madrone

Spring Mountain District Chardonnay 2021

Apple, lemon, honey, peach, oak and hints of almond. Great acidity and balance. — 10 months ago

Paul liked this