Monte Luce

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.
— 3 days ago

Mark, Douglas and 5 others liked this
Zach D

Zach D

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

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2005

Cedar, fruit in the background, coconut?. Mature and delicious — 17 days ago

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. — 5 hours 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) — 8 days ago

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

Luce della Vite Toscana Sangiovese Merlot 2021

Dark cherry red without violet, blackish. Black currant, berry, cherry. Dry tomato, black olive. Oak vanilla, clove cinnamon nutmeg. Dry meat Fe robust structure. Dry. Sweetness M Acidity M+ Tannin M++ It is better to wait for several years. SV50/MLT50 14.5% Luce 21 @23500, AD, 251102 — a month ago

Lorenzo Begali

Monte Ca' Bianca Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corvina Blend 2019

Vanilla scent after. Light and soft fruits. Drinkable and delicious. — 2 months ago

Paul 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. — 3 days ago

Monte Bernardi

Sa'etta Chianti Classico Riserva Sangiovese Blend 2016

Beautifully made, fresh and highly drinkable but plenty of complexity — a month ago

Pooneet, Tom and 5 others liked this

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

Luce della Vite Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2007

2007 vintage.
Given to me by one of my best friends.
He said go pick something from my fridge and take it home….OK

Developed cherry, leather, tobacco and herbal sage notes. Still holding astringency and acidity in balance,
— 2 months ago

Bob, Alexandre and 21 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Jamie Lauder should be great. 2007 was a good year there from memory.
Jamie Lauder

Jamie Lauder

Aged Brunello from a good vintage is magical.
Alexandre Pagliano

Alexandre Pagliano Premium Badge

Wow great bottle ! I had a 2011 some time ago. Had it with a good steak and was truly excellent.
9.2