Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine is a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with some significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of plums, dark brambles, cocoa, cedar box, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The alcohol is medium++. This is big and fancy and tastes, expensive. Initial conclusions: this could be Merlot, Malbec, or Syrah from the USA, Argentina or France. However, the wine wasn’t purple enough for Malbec and I didn’t get any rotundune for me to chose Syrah. The tannins were silky smooth and the fruit was generous, plush and slightly tart which gave me a clue about the vintage. Since I felt like this wine leaned toward its fruit, my final conclusion is that this is Merlot, from the USA, from California, from Napa Valley, 2018 vintage. Boom! I think this is drinking really well right now and it hides its alcohol (15.6%!) remarkably well. Drink now and through 2028. — 10 months ago
at peak!! love it — 2 months ago
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. — 7 months ago
Very smooth and juicy, Central Valley Pinot Noir, served at sunset on the porch in Woolwich, ME — 3 months ago
Complex Zinfandel field blend, with nice interplay of flavors and textures—fruit, tannin, acid and earth, that evolves in the mouth. Perfumed and drinkable by itself. Fine example of Sonoma County Zin. Tasted the 2021 vintage at the winery. — 7 months ago
12/2022. Nicely structured wine. Dark color and good fruit. Paired well with the Pierogies at Gervais and Vine. — 2 years ago
Last bottle of this very good HHH cab. A bit more meaty and rustic on the nose than the last bottle that I can remember. Lightly candied fruits, round acidity, and polished tannins are coming together nicely. At its peak, but should stay here for another 4-5 years.
— 3 years ago
Norman Gennaro
Ridge - at best an ok. — a month ago