Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium copper salmon colour . Slightly waxy dried orange , spiced wild strawberry , touch of resin , sea salt . On the palate this has more fruit , with touches of orange , spiced dried strawberry , roasted nuts, saline seaside hints , balanced acidity and elegant , refined personality. Intense and long , this is probably showing better and more complete than the 2011 I had a few weeks ago . Just starting to get going , but still with a long life ahead. From now and over the next 5 to 10 years perhaps . — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease. — 12 days ago

Alexandre Czesnat

8.9

Red berries, oaky, tobacco, bold — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Poured into a decanter maybe an hour prior to service. The 1970 Tondonia Gran Reserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and absolutely brilliant with a mix of desiccated and ripe fruits: dried Morello and Montmorency cherry, cocoa powder, mushrooms, old leather bound books, an entire cabinet full of dried herbs and spices, a memory of barnyard and a deciduous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is dry with good structure still: medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and makes me believe there is something bigger than us in this life. This bottle, on this afternoon, gives the confidence to embrace the mystery. Drink now with an hour of air but I get the sense this is one of those Energizer Bunny wines… — 17 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Very pretty color of ruby with medium intensity and a wide reddish rim.

Pretty nose with nice complexity.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and complex.

Showing red and black fruits with wood, light licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.

Nice finish with soft tannins and cherries.

This 6 year old Zinfandel based Red blend from Sonoma County is drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and soft with a nice mouthfeel. Showing nice complexity at this point.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 73% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignan, 3% Mataro and 1% Alicante Bouschet.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35. — 18 days ago

Abbas Zand

9.6

Exotic red fruit notes. Red and black raspberry w exotic spice, earthy flavors. A lot of nice Oak influence. Very nice balance. Quite a lot of tannins. Can use more time in the bottle, but, already delicious.
Fantastic Rioja wine. Love it.
$26 — 14 days ago

Brian Hearty

9.3

2015. Wasn’t sure what to pair with this delicious Filipino rice dish with longanisa, chicken, and cumin crab fat butter (likely a wide range of whites, rosés, and lighter reds would work well), but I wanted to try this Spanish Crianza and it was wonderful! The fruit flavors were enough to complement the sweet sausage and the smooth tannins cut through the richness without intensifying the spice. — 14 days ago

Zach D

9.1

On the nose black raspberry, black cherry, Asian five spice, some black tea. Good dose of acidity for a zin based wine; some tannin as well. More black raspberry, black cherry, hint of smoke, blackberry and spice on the palate. I don’t usually go for this type of wine (higher etoh, somewhat warmer and riper style) however given the old vine character, Ridge is a producer I do come back to every once and a while. Did hit the spot on a cold night. — 4 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2019 | minerality and cherries in smell. My notes say: strict ánd cheerful. Love it. — a day ago

Ethan Gilmore

9.6

10y wedding anniversary bottle. Delicious — 13 days ago