Gran Cruz

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking 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 whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 13 days ago

Hermes, Ira and 13 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2012

Good show. Only a hint of CA sunshine on the close. — 22 days ago

Sarah Bignami
with Sarah
Pinotman, Bob and 10 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

21Club KEK/KPK SOMMELIER Philip Pratt — 17 days ago

Bodegas Beronia

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

WoW! Just bought a bottle yesterday, and I’m in love with Rioja all over again. I haven’t found a bottle of wine this wonderful since before COVID… — 7 days ago

jesus, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose with blue and red fruits.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and easy drinking.

Showing raspberries, blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, spices, light oak, licorice, tobacco, herbs, light earth, dried tomatoes, chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Gran Reserva from Rioja is always a good choice. Showing nice complexity with a smooth mouthfeel.

Rich and elegant with good balance.

Drinks very young right now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Needs an hour to open up, but good right out of the bottle too.

I've had many different vintages of this wine, and it always delivers. My favorite so far was the 2004.

14% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$30.
— 17 days ago

Douglas, Ted and 17 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Nice. 2004 was excellent in Rioja.

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — a month ago

Scott@Mister liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2015

Young but polished and elegant. Red and black berries, tobacco leaf, soil and mushroom, American oak on the finish. This should integrate and deepen with age — 5 days ago

Iwan, jesus and 7 others liked this

Ruffino

Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2019

Deep Ruby color with aromas of dark fruits, spice and toasty oak. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum with spice, herbs, cacao, tobacco and toasty tones from 18 months of oak aging. Full ripe tannins you can bite into, long finish ending with fruit and an earthy toasty spice character. Nice! Will age! — 5 days ago

Anthony, Tom and 6 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2004

Jeremy Shanker
9.4

A baby, but damn. Beeswax, yellow wax beans, honey. A wild and cerebral wine that will age magnificently. — 20 hours ago

Vin, Peter and 5 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

Severn Goodwin Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I adore these!