John Roselli

9.3

Dark ruby/indigo; leather, spice, pencil lead, ripe black plum on the nose; black pepper, sour cherry, leather, with fine dusty tannins upfront; lingering cherry on the finish, slightly tart.
Tasted while listening to Schubert’s Fantasia for Piano Four-Hands in f, Op. Pos., D. 940, Evgeny Kissin and James Levine tecorded live at Carnegie Hall (RCA Gold Seal) — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2011 vintage. Medium body. Some chocolate, cinnamon subtleties in the ether along with the traditional cedar/tobacco one-two combo. Drinking nicely now but recommend a 2+ hour decant for serious airtime if you can swing it. 5.1.24. — 2 years ago

Ron from VA

9.1

Perhaps a touch on the down swing, this luxurious and sophisticated build still provided plenty of pleasure for a holiday special meal. Complex from quality fruit… The special 2010 vintage provided ripeness for the CabSauvignon and merlot components. Thoughtful oak exposure provided just enough framework and the inherent herb inlay... particularly from the PV. Former Governors cup case gold — 5 years ago

S.R.Alexander

9.0

Swing for the fences Saturday. Pink Bandol sets the tone. Floral, seashells and bright. — 6 years ago

with Kim and Eric

Ryan Vento

8.9

My wife grew up going to Babe’s, and so when we were up in the DFW area we had to visit one of their locations in Arlington. Thankfully it’s BYOB, so I got to swing by Winslow’s Wine Cellar and grab a chilled bottle of Chard for copious amounts of family-style sides and fried chicken. — 8 years ago

with Krystal

Sam T

9.1

Very nice. Blackberry and a little cocoa. Slight tannins. I’m a fan. — 9 years ago

Greg Start

9.0

Love this. Visiting the region soon so will swing by the vineyard to pick up some more! — 9 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1996 vintage. Last tasted 5.8.25 (9.5), 9.29.24 (9.5) and 8.2.24 (9.6). Decanted with some sed and tasted after an hour. Solid cork and fill. This was the worst showing of the last visits with less tannic structure and slightly more richness. Tasted a bit more like their "Au Paradis" offering. Not totally dissuaded from picking up another few bottles for enjoyment in the few 5 years or so tho. Three out of four bottles surveyed were fabulous and this wasn't a total swing and a miss. 07.18.25. — a year ago

Cam VD

9.0

Does perfume mean "shit my grandma sprayed on before church"?? Gross. But it has that - however I'd call it "butterscotch coffee table treat + lilac "that bitch is stinky but better than grandma's cigarettes" in terms of nose. Also the nose fucks my macerated pear bussy. Giving me cobbler vibes - Hallélooh! In terms of tongue, she sits like a mineral princess on a southern porch swing - green apple and green grape with a micro green or basil down-played bitch slap to make me comfortable being THAT BITCH! Welcome - I'm that bitch and I love this! — 4 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2020 spring / summer. While the swing back towards traditional winemaking in Barolo and Barbaresco is wonderful to see, it seems that there are still many banner barberas made with lots of new oak and the like. There are plenty of simple, delicious barberas made in a balanced fashion, finding a traditionally-made wine exploring barbera’s potential in top sites isn’t all that common. Here’s an example of why that’s a shame - effusive with black and red fruit, concentrated without being heavy, balancing acidity and tannin, and a bit of spice — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Yes, we also collect Australian wine (Two Hands & Penfolds)...but they need many, many, many years so my posts are justifiably far between. Been aggressive on Two Hands from 2002 forward, great stuff, requires patience. WS indicated a 2020 peak, I disagree, likely 2022+ is more reasonable for the top end. We miss the days of paying $48 for these bottles.

Nose has intensely focused black cherry & pomegranate compote, mashed red raspberry and a cedar bat which Big Papi has full swing crushed you in your mouth enough times to know that 'it's there'.

 Palate has a tawny note of raspberry port, plum & blueberry juice, cedar notes are fading but balanced, tannins are resolved and this wine is drinking near perfection. Amazinly long finish.

Still some heat of alchol on the nose letting you know it's still going to kick you in the hind quarters at some point (15% ABV). — 7 years ago

Jeffrey Lew

9.4

Getting back into the swing of things... Trotting along as they say... 😎 — 8 years ago

Michael Smith

9.4

Really delicious 2011. Just singing right now. Fruit in full swing but depth and acid balance. Bottle was gone before I knew it. — 9 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

A beautiful wine.

Nose: white flowers. Lemon. Mountain meadow. A hint of sponti.

Palate: so clean. Drinking a mountain stream. Finely powders minerals. Lemon flowers.

More than the sum of its parts. It has an elegance.

This wine seems to oscillate between very dense meursault and a wispy chassagne like thing from vintage to another. A huge swing.

Fass selections — 2 years ago

Paco Suro

9.4

Wow. Surprise of the night. Bright. Balanced. Still in full swing. — 3 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Another year, a new RM producer! An gorgeous, exuberant and lively Blanc de Blanc for José Dhondt (375ml). Preserved lemon, golden apple — fresh and baked — hazelnut and toasty brioche in abundance. That elusive balance of brightness and depth/richness….

En route home from the airport, I realized that I had no champagne awaiting me at home and risked a birthday passing without a glass (😱). Managed to swing by Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant on my way back to the East Bay 15 minutes before closing for this little gem. Well worth the 30 minute detour. — 4 years ago

Ashleigh O'Jester

9.0

Smells and tastes just like purple grape juice with a hint of alcohol! Very sweet and slightly fizzy. — 7 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.2

Tasted with the 2015.
Integration is well and truly in full swing.
Strong primaries all in check but singing like an choir.
Personally prefer the 15. — 8 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.3

This afternoon at a gathering at a friends home we opened the 2010 Ridge Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 2% Petite Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc.

On the nose is beautiful lack fruit, black cherries, blackberries, licorice, violets, tobacco, crushed rock, a nice minerality and a nice rich soil.

On the palate is opulent black fruit, black cherry, blackberries, black plum, cassis, violets, some rich sweet tobacco, an oaky smoke content, crushed rock, a minerality and a nice dusty soil.

The wine is full bodied with medium + acidity and medium + gripping tannin that lead to a long racy finish. A very nice Bordeaux Blend that will not disappoint. The weekend is in full swing and take advantage of fall coming in and drinking more red. Please be safe and keep dreaming. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago

Brett Wise

9.4

Creamy citrus and bright melon. A perfect swing. — 9 years ago