Cruz Alta

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Somm David T
9.5

From 375ml. @Lira Restaurant The Chef is the Gordon Ramsey winner.

Resolved, velvety M+ tannins. Ruby fruits of; blackberry pie, black raspberries, blueberries, both plums, dark cherries & raspberries. Dark chocolate bar, slightly moist tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry herbs, light cinnamon, clove, vanillin, mocha, dry, volcanic clay, dark, withering flowers, some lavender framed in violets, excellent round acidity with incredible, balance, perfectly tensioned, softly structured, elegance finish that lasts a full minute.
— 7 days ago

Tom, Joe and 14 others liked this

Bodega Catena Zapata

Catena Alta Historic Rows Malbec 2013

Well the wife got brave and opened a bottle I didn’t want used in a sauce the other day. Probably had her dad over since I was on a bis trip. Glad I got to try. Nice wine. — 16 hours ago

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Blend 2021

Medium body, dark chocolate, light acidity, black plum — 8 days ago

Bodega Catena Zapata

Catena Alta Historic Rows Chardonnay 2022

Nice complex with tones straw, honey, cantaloupe apple. — 16 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2012

Zach D
9.5

A unique wine. Vibrant golden hue, reductive aroma combined with a variety of ripe orchard fruits, saline breeze, pineapple, wet stone. Palate with high acidity, a lingering tannic grip, stony minerality, apple, pear, fresh almonds. I drink the current vintage (which happens to be 2012 this year) with my wife once per year, and have for the last 5 years. Nostalgic. — 4 days ago

Ira and Ron liked this
Ron R

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Sounds really cool!
Zach D

Zach D

@Ron R I would try it at least once; not a profile that will resonate with everyone, but super classic and old school. Offers a unique experience; it is a wine that if blinded to color, could be mistaken for a red wine
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Wow, that’s interesting. You have certainly got my attention on this. Cheers!

Domaine Eden

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019. At Kuumbwa Jazz enjoying a Christian McBride concert — 3 days ago

La Rioja Alta

Viña Ardanza Reserva Selección Especial Tempranillo Blend 2017

Maria a alexNdra lorenzo pedro fer caio — a month ago

Iwan, Jan and 1 other liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2004

90% Tempranillo; 10% Graciano. Red fruited perfume, earthy with medium plus intensity. Palate at 21 years is developed, balanced and soft with fully integrated tannins. Medium weight with declining strength to its inner core. Not near as good on the 2nd night. This aged overnight and finishes a little sour. I was going to give it 94 points but will now give 90 points. — 3 days ago

Jan, Daniel and 16 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 1996

No one chooses to have these kinds of bottles, the bottles themselves choose you. From the first whiff, you can smell the age; dried cherries, weathered leather, a trace of cigar box, and a hint of vanilla that lingers like memories of wilder days. On the palate, the wine unfolds slowly, each layer revealing the finesse of a life lived with grit and grace. The tannins, softened with age yet carrying a hint of defiance. — 20 days ago

Peter, Jose and 11 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

🤯 jealous of the wine and your trip! Hopefully you’re staying through Semana Santa and visiting southern Spain? Nothing like watching the parades with great sherry and smelling the spring orange blossoms.
Ericsson

Ericsson

Hey Paul. Great wine. Back home now. But yes can’t wait to go back.

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

2017 vintage. Extremely difficult to get past the coconut/pickles nose with the aggressive oak. Flavors better than scents currently. Could use an hour or two in a decanter or 7-8 years in the bottle to minimize said oak. Medium body. Will eventually lead the group on an epic hike but not in the next few years. 03.05.25. — 23 days ago

Jan, Ruud and 13 others liked this