Mountain Ridge

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1991

Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease.
— 5 days ago

Andrew, Tom and 15 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

East Bench Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2009

Excellent Zin with a lot of fruits; blackberries, cranberries and some dark cherries. Also, spice, cedar and more. Did not know what to expect as Zin’s don’t go for a lot of aging. Happy I found this one in my cellar and have a couple of other Ridge wines I need to drink up.

I stopped purchasing Ridge years ago as I got into lighter wines. Visited Ridge Winery last century and had an excellent tasting as I remember and met and chatted with Paul Draper.
— 19 days ago

Pine Ridge Vineyards

Clarksburg Chenin Blanc + Viognier Blend 2023

Been a standard in the often underrated white blend space for years. Still remains the quality that I’d expect from them which over delivers for the price. Melon and honey. Lovely wine. — 5 days ago

Sharon liked this
Sharon B

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Love this one!

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2019

Very pretty color of ruby with medium intensity and a wide reddish rim.

Pretty nose with nice complexity.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and complex.

Showing red and black fruits with wood, light licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.

Nice finish with soft tannins and cherries.

This 6 year old Zinfandel based Red blend from Sonoma County is drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and soft with a nice mouthfeel. Showing nice complexity at this point.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 73% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignan, 3% Mataro and 1% Alicante Bouschet.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35.
— 11 days ago

Juan, Tom and 9 others liked this

Barnett Vineyards

Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Paul J
9.7

Great wines for Family Christmas and New Year’s Eve!! No formal notes but rated appropriately. — 23 days ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Tom, Scott@Mister and 9 others liked this

Bodega Catena Zapata

High Mountain Vines Mendoza Malbec 2021

Peppery Malbec that wasn’t as strong as most. Went well with stew. — 4 days ago

La Jota Vineyard Co.

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Fantastic. Enjoyed our last bottle of a case of 2013 on Christmas Eve. Sad it's gone. — 25 days ago

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

So delish! Beautiful and holding strong with notes of blackberry, black currant, clove, star anise, licorice, dried orange peel, black olive, potpourri, tobacco, leather, earth, cured meat, pencil shavings, graphite, spice box, forest floor. Complex and balanced with a long, elegant finish. — 23 days ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Jay and 16 others liked this
Vanessa

Vanessa

@David T We can see why 😍 Always so delicious!!! 🍷🍷 Cheers!
Daniel veit

Daniel veit

The 01’ is stunning at the moment. I always get squid ink notes as well on these wines.
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Daniel veit Ooh, squid ink! I hadn’t thought of that but could see (& taste) it! We’ll have to keep our eyes 👀 peeled for the ‘01, as well.

Storybook Mountain Vineyards

Mayacamas Range Napa Estate Zinfandel 2018

ESF
9.3

Opened up a few ho-hum bottles and really wanted something that popped and would complement my smoked ribs: this did the trick, see previous note. So dense so generous so polished - just textbook Zin — 11 days ago

Tom, Bob and 5 others liked this