Jay Kline

9.5

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2001 Monte Bello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, an intoxicating mix of exotic Eastern spices, some cocoa, inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate? The wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and impeccably balanced. To my palate, this bottle has reached the age when Monte Bello starts to really become interesting. What a delight! Drink now with some air, through 2051. — 8 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

One of my absolute favorite California wines. The California Latour. ‘97 is superb—vividly detailed and complex with both power and elegance. A masterful balance of fruit, tertiary character and cooling acidity with a silky palate and melting tannins. Hard to beat for a Wagyu pairing. — 6 months ago

joy horn

9.9

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. — 8 months ago

Carter Snead

9.4

Cinghiale di Ragu night! — 10 months ago

with Leigh

Kim Stone

9.5

Loved it enough to buy another bottle. — 5 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

Really nice. Tons of dark fruit, cocoa, some tree bark, good acidity that makes it more rustic and Italian than smooth Napa. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

This 8 year old Sangiovese from Tuscany is drinking at its peak now.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with light wood, earth, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle and better after an hour.

I've had this vintage 5 years ago and it is drinking better now, and will continue to do so in the next few years.

Paired nicely with Italian meatballs in red sauce.

A blend of 90% Sangiovese with 10% Merlot.

14% alcohol by volume.

90 points. — 7 days ago

Vinny Brooklyn

9.4

Second & last of my bottles. Wonderful, while ready to drink still has plenty of years ahead of it. — 5 months ago

Alex Wang

8.9

Good wine. But nothing stands out — 8 months ago

Colleen Tomasello

9.4

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) — 9 months ago

JP Seral

9.3

Happy Birthday Syd! — 5 years ago

Chris McClellan

9.0

Big tropical fruits, lemon curd, luscious, yet retains acid in the end…maybe too much vanilla cream (oak) for me, but overall delicious after dinner and segway to whiskey around the fire…. — 5 years ago

with Michael and Ryan

Lance Williams

9.2

Tasted at March 2019 Montebello Collector event — 7 years ago

Carter Snead

9.3

Dinner with Sister Abigail! — 2 months ago

with Rick and Leigh

Bruce Leboff

9.2

A big and bold Cali cab- a bit bold bordering on over the top power. A bit of California sweetness but fun to drink. Has many years left - saving the next bottle for a big juicy steak meal — 2 months ago

with Michael

Conrad Green

9.4

Pure and elegant. Loads of character. Glossy and delicious. Excellent — 8 months ago

with Peter, Gregg and 1 other

David Dorn

9.0

Nice wine! — 9 months ago

Joan Ziegler

9.4

Something spec. Try it — 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Lighter color and body but surprisingly large tannins and flavors. Aromas of ripe plums, dark cherries and leather. Ripe cherry and Dr. Pepper flavors with some tobacco notes. Powerful with bracing acidity. Long finish with lots of tannin. Solid! Nicely aged. — 5 years ago

Julia Reinstein

9.2

making ragu with Paolo — 6 years ago