Monte Alto

Ferrari

Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore Trento Brut Chardonnay 2009

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour alongside the 2005 vintage. The 2009 “Giulio Ferrari” pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of spiced apple, passion fruit, and white flowers. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and fresher than the 2005 vintage. Drink now. — 5 days ago

Brian, Andrew and 6 others liked this

Foradori

Fontanasanta Vigneti delle Dolomiti Manzoni Bianco 2022

From the Wine Queen of the Dolomites, Elizabeta Foradori. Full bodied Pinot bianco. Minerals. Saline. Herbs. — 7 days ago

Tom liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

Dark red pomegranate, mushroom, bramble, light, enough acid to counter light tannins. Excellent cab. — 7 days ago

Foradori

Rotaliano Teroldego 2011

Du bonbon. Nez de cassis, floral et anis. Soyeux, texturé des cerises aux chocolat.. — a month ago

Ron and Andrew liked this

Romano Dal Forno

Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore Corvina Blend 2013

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some dried fruits: bramble berries, slightly stewed black cherry, dried herbs, stony earth, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Grenache-based blend, Corvina-based blend or Sangiovese-based blend from France or Italy. I felt the combination of slightly stewed cherry and spices ruled out what I would want from a Sangiovese blend. Which, left me to decide between Southern Rhône or Valpolicella. I liked this wine…the oak treatment was interesting. I was getting a French barrique. Hmmm…

So, for my final conclusion: I’m calling this a Grenache-based blend, from France, from Southern Rhône, from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2017, from a more modern leaning producer using a good portion of barrique. I’ll be damned! I don’t hate my call but I gotta get better at distinguishing these wines from Southern Rhône. I probably just need to drink more of both, lol. Tasty stuff! Drink now through 2039.
— 8 days ago

Mark, Douglas and 5 others liked this
Zach D

Zach D

That’s a super tough blind tasting. Good deductive reasoning. Cheers

Foradori

Granato Teroldego 2018

ワイン見聞録福袋のイタリア赤、2018年もの。市中価格は税別8900円とのこと。ドメニカドーロでいただいたが強いもののカドの立たない酸のおかげか結構な万能食中酒。それでいて充分濃いのがまたすごい。 — 19 days ago

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2005

Cedar, fruit in the background, coconut?. Mature and delicious — 21 days ago

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

An icon for a reason. Exactly what you want from a California Cab. Balanced yet bold, powerful yet refined. Amazing. — 4 days ago

Marc, Andrew and 10 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Unlike most other Cabs they use American Oak

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Bought at Pine Orchard 11/25 $70 after tasting at Ridge in 10/25. Less expensive here. The 2023 is rated at 100 pts. Absolutely delicious. Floral aromas, lightly crisp, subtle oak, smooth finish. — 4 days ago

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Blend 2018

Excellent cab! Always great from Ridge, this one is full bodied, nicely aged (still has room to age more, but wonderful right now!, wish i had a couple more) — 12 days ago