Monte Creek Ranch

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. — 6 days ago

Hermes, Ira and 13 others liked this

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). — 21 days ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Etude

Estate Grown Grace Benoist Ranch Pinot Noir

Solid. Middle of the road Pinot — 18 days ago

David Stein
with David

Nickel & Nickel

State Ranch Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

K L
9.4

Levels above others. This one we decanted and it made a difference. Elements of Rutherford but still not as dusty. Earthy and complex. Liked this. — 16 days ago

Joe, Neil and 5 others liked this

Suavia

Monte Carbonare Garganega 2020

Lemonade earth. — 8 days ago

Ira liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Blend 2016

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2016 Pagani Ranch pours a deep ruby with near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of red and black brambles, toasted coconut, dill, wood, 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 tart. This is in a lovely spot yet, it still exhibiting quite a bit of freshness so I expect this will be quite long-lived. Drink now through 2031+. — a month ago

Vanessa, Daniel and 7 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay

21 Club. KEK/KPK. PHILIP PRATT SOMMELIER — 11 days ago

Kosta Browne

Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir

Heavy on the cherry / red fruit flavour — and that’s not a bad thing at all — 16 days ago

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay

Delightfully complicated California Chard masquerading as a White Burgundy. French nose and French finish. Minerals, flint, stone and fruit—apple, pear, peach and nectarine, with an obvious but restrained layer of oak. Not overly fruity or oaky; no pineapple or butterscotch here. Paired well with the Seafood Tower, Swordfish and Black Cod at the Water Grill Santa Monica. This was a juvenile 2021 vintage, tasted in 2024. Eager to try this gem after another half decade. — a month ago

Patz & Hall

Dutton Ranch Chardonnay 2021

Straw color with green edges.
Fresh Meyer lemon.
Tart and lean minaret acidity.
Long fat buster:)
— a month ago

Tom liked this