Monte Maria

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. — 10 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). — 25 days ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Cambria Estate Winery

Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay

2021 Vintage I think a great buy at $16 nice barrel fermented character baked apple, white flowers, slight butterscotch, medium acidity — 20 days ago

Bob, Mark and 3 others liked this

Suavia

Monte Carbonare Garganega 2020

Lemonade earth. — 12 days ago

Ira liked this

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

Cambria Estate Winery

Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Delicious, quaffable, red berries, earth, herbs, and wet stone. — 2 months ago

Ron, Tom and 6 others liked this

Lieu Dit

Santa Maria Valley Melon de Bourgogne 2023

John Howard
9.1

Killer domestic melon! — 9 days ago

Severn, Laura and 15 others liked this

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Crafted by Joseph J. Wagner, 4th generation winemaker, with winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas, tea and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of jammy blackberry and cherry with pronounced sweet vanilla oak, cacao and pepper spice notes. Soft tannins and bright acidity, well balanced, with mineral tones on a long finish ending with toasty spice! Nice! — a month ago

Juan, Douglas and 4 others liked this

Foxen

Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020

Cherry, Raspberry, strawberry aromas with a touch of sage. Red cherries on the palate with a medium tannins. I think will benefit from a bit more cellar time. — 2 months ago

Shay and Scott@Mister liked this