Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay

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.
— 3 days ago

Andrew, Tom and 14 others liked this

Kutch Wines

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2022

Love me some Kutch! Great acid, lemon curd. — a month ago

Rhys Vineyards

Alpine Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009

Tons of red and dark fruit. Mainly cherries and a bit of raspberry and spice. — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Tyler and 1 other liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Chardonnay 2020

This was more elegant and less flavorful than expected

Very light fruit and minimal oak

Paired with giant 12oz lobster tails. Happy Armenian Christmas!

Crazy thing happened with the pairing. This wine tasted like a fresh shucked raw oyster. Dead on after a bite of lobster, like eating an oyster chaser. Wild.
— 16 days ago

Ira, Vanessa and 4 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 1979

Jeremy Shanker
9.8

Nearly perfect wine. Last Merry Edwards vintage. And a magnum. — a month ago

Pooneet, Bob and 4 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Deep cherry red. Black currant. Vanilla. Gentle aroma. Silky tannin. Superb balance among sweetness, spiciness and acidity. Full of elegance. Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 17 @13750, Yang, 241222 — a month ago

Rhys Vineyards

Horseshoe Vineyard Chardonnay 2010

Based on day 2. I really enjoyed this as it opened up. Great texture with lemon curd, stone fruit, marzipan and lively acidity. So well balanced. — a month ago

Scott@Mister and Ron liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2019

Presented double-blind. The wine appears a straw color; medium viscosity with no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of orchard fruit: apples, lemon curd, nuts and lees. Lavishly oaked. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lovely. I called Chardonnay from the United States, California, Napa Valley 2019. So close! Drink now through 2029. — 24 days ago

Andrew, Douglas and 10 others liked this