Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — 5 months ago
Flavorful without being too bold. Soft. — 8 months ago
Wonderful Zin- enjoying the 2013 vintage- hint of tobacco - pairing with Salmon - Brisket- will definitely try again — 2 years ago
Super tasty. — 6 years ago
Cali Pinot Noir for the 4th: @RhysVineyards San Mateo — 10 years ago
Rubis presque violet. Dense et jeune. Un premier nez presque médicinal, cerise, poivron. Le bouquet est agréable. La bouche est puissante, on sent sa jeunesse. C'est long et sec. L'acidité est bien marqué. Les saveurs de cerises et de cèdre s'entremêlent pour ce vin en début de vie. — 4 months ago
21Club KEK/KPK SOMMELIER Philip Pratt — 4 months ago
Cherry cola, cassis, strawberries, leather, tobacco, and soft spices. — 6 months ago
Imagine a great Cote Rotie, Cornas, and a Cal Syrah step into a bar. The atmosphere is all French but the ‘Mercian makes it interesting and overblown with too much density. It was spectacular, but if it were a bit more reserved, and didn’t stain my Riedel, it would have been on another level. — 9 months ago
Buttery Oaked wine. Delicious even with red meat and pasta. — 7 years ago
Only open a week. Stable — 10 years ago
This is a great wine. It opens with strong berry character and some oak/vanilla. As it opens the jammy character shines through and you get a strong berry sweetness in flavor and aroma that drinks really easy for 14.5%. Stands up to the bit of age I put on it. Will drink again! — 4 months ago
Bit over the hill. — 7 months ago
Favorite wine! Sweet and fruity
15% alcohol! — 7 months ago
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. — 8 months ago
Medium, spicy, full body — 9 months ago
Excellent Pinot to pair with our grilled salmon and salad. — 10 months ago
2015 vintage Chianti Gran Selezione.
80 % Sangiovese, 13 % Merlot and 7 % Malvasia Nera.
Deep dark ruby red.
Perfumed nose with black currants, violets, olives and cocoa.
Ripe black plums, leather, black tea with polished silky tannins.
A long, beautiful finish. — 2 years ago
Full body with a peppery after taste — 8 years ago
Jay Kline
Opened and decanted about an hour prior to service. The 2016 San Valentino is a blend of mostly Sangiovese mixed with some local varieties. It pours a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the palate, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of ripe cherry, blackberry, exotic spices, wild underbrush, old leather and rich woody notes, some VA and dried rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ viscosity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lovely and despite the concentration of flavors, surprisingly nimble and super versatile with the variety of fare on the table including sturgeon in a miso with noodles (it kinda blew my mind actually). Sublime. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 3 months ago