4th wine of BYOB blind. Very light with a slight effervescence, leading us to call this as a natty pinot. Was surprised it was such a classic. Have had Mt Eden Pinot before and this was not in the same neighborhood of depth/forest floor. Alas, not my favorite vintage — 3 months ago
This was our 3L for the Christmas party - excellent Syrah, incredibly long tail to it, a little sparkly up front. Was a hit with the guests but I thought fell just short of the Adelaida last year — 4 months ago
After having the 2017 a couple nights ago, thought it would be fun to compare the 2015 tonight. Overall impressions, the 2015 is: less fruit forward, tighter structure, tannins a bit grippier, more earth, less enticing mouthfeel and finish. Overall, enjoyed the 17 more. But I bet in 5 years the 15 will take the title. — 7 months ago
Not to dry and very smooth. A lot of fruity flavors — 3 years ago
Smooth fruity, char, rounded ! — 4 years ago
2006 drinking great. Black fruit with soft cocoa notes on the finish — 9 years ago
Fruit forward, low tannins, easy drinking. — 3 months ago
A taut puzzle to start. Better once decanted and given 30-45 minutes to open. Once through that rectification (it was yesterday’s word of the day) this baby was quite the ride. Beautifully fragrant and inviting. Not deeply dark in color but still richly deep purple. The fruit is layered and comes in waves. Dark fruit, blueberries lingering finish. I expected this to be a very good CA Cab. I was wrong this was special. Lots of resonating impulses here. Loved this. It was great. — 3 months ago
Good everyday Chardonnay table wine. — 6 years ago
Smooth, a little spicy, very nice pinot — 4 months ago
Poured into a Boa decanter about 30min prior to service. The 2016 “Santa Chiara pours a brilliant, deep and slightly hazy copper gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with desiccated apricots, dried apples, yellow flowers, and curaçao. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium- tannins. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and super amazing. This is such a wonderful bottle of Bea. When his whites hit, well…they really hit. Drink now with a short decant or over the next 3-5 years. Bottle 1641/6133 — 4 months ago
Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruits, cedar and spicy forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and crushed red cherries with notes of cedar and baking spice, lively acidity, fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit and earthy notes. Drinking well! Pair this with a pork roast or Salmon with a balsamic glaze. — 7 months ago
Delicious with smoke salmon — 5 years ago
With Heaney Dow n Rosen — 11 years ago
Dark ruby colored. Slightly muted nose, bright fresh fruit. Black and blue fruit up front, chocolate, tobacco, but of red cherry, minerality, quite complex, tannins tight at the open, needs a nice decant at this point. Bright, crisp, silky mouthfeel. Long finish. Some of my favorite wines are from Dr. Crane, and this is another one. — 3 months ago
At The Pony Club - TGIF — 3 months ago
Blew us away. So good. Rich. Decadent. But not too much. 99 points RP 95 points WS. Best wine I’ve had in a while. May have been peak def could have laid down a few more years. NYE 2023 — 4 months ago
Always a favourite — 7 months ago
Bright and citrusy. Would drink again. — 4 years ago
Exceptional — 5 years ago
Victor Hsu
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. — 2 months ago