Popped and poured; consumed over a 4-day period. Best on Day 3 and 4. Day 1 and 2 were so primary that I didn’t pour myself more than just a small glass. By Day 3 and 4, while still primary, it had uncoiled enough to properly enjoy…and there is a lot to appreciate.
In the glass, the 2019 “Maus Vineyard” pours a deep ruby color with an electric magenta rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of some slight sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with concentrated notes of black currants, blackberry pie, tobacco, third wave espresso, a touch of varnish (some VA or EA?) but not overwhelming, and very faint warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium++ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and has remarkable freshness.
Having enjoyed Ketan Mody’s BETA wines for a handful of years, I can say with a high degree of confidence that nobody is making wines like this in Napa/Sonoma. They’re like the singular wines of Tenuta San Leonardo from Trentino Alto Adige but lacking the pyrazines (thanks to the CA ripeness) and yet, this weighs in at a modest 13.4% abv. These wines are special and the best is yet to come. Drink from 2025-2039 — a year ago
80% Espadin / 20% Arroqueno. Tio Leonardo. Balanced fruit and earth if almost too Smokey. Left wanting more. — 4 years ago
Jul 2024: PnP ready, just a few minutes in glass is enough, lots of plums, herbs, soft tannins and good acidity, lacks a wow effect — 7 years ago
2017 Vigneti DellecDolomiti Cabernet, Merlot, Carmenere — 9 months ago
Ristorante Texture — 2 years ago
Intense spiced berry, black licorice and peppery florals emerge from the 2017 Terre di San Leonardo. Silky with depths of fruit accelerated by brisk acids, the 2017 leaves the palate reeling, with its spry, lightly structured personality. This young-vine Bordeaux blend is an amazing value. $22.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, January 2022) — 3 years ago
Terre di San Leonardo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (40%), and Carmenere (10%), run by the Gonzaga family since its inception in 1724. Wine is fermented with ambient yeasts in concrete tanks and 20% is aged in French oak barrels. Ruby with aromas ripe red fruits and floral notes. On the palate flavors of rich plum and blackberry with herb, light spice and slight earthy notes. Medium+ finish, fine soft tannins, ending with fruit, floral and earthy mineral character. Tremendous value! — 5 months ago
Elegante, de buen final — 9 months ago
Jakub Kalinowski
Was in the mood for a bit of Merlot.
Needs quite some time to let go of the reduction and open up. Better on day2 actually!
Nice fresh nose full of plums, dark sweet cherry, a whiff of raspberry freshness, a hint of sweet scented wood and some cool minerality in the backdrop.
Light to medium bodied in the palate with beautiful purity of fruit (damson plums, raspberries) medium tannins that have been polished to velvety smoothness and fresh acidity. Perfectly balanced, poised and quite elegant. And fresh.
You can feel this is a mountain wine.
Lovely & delish. — 2 months ago