Eric Grasser

9.6

A captivating tour de force for Cali Pinot. A powerful, dense and firm wine laced with elegance and balance. Enjoy its presence as a ‘wild’ personality for Ted’s portfolio. Links blackberry preserves, sarsaparilla, cherry bark, crushed rocks and tannin. Still supple with sweet tones at year 5 and will age well. — a year ago

A Reeves

9.5

Really enjoyable. Easy to drink and not overpowering and yet full flavored — a year ago

Vino Joe

9.7

Sharp. Gripping. Nuanced and powerful. Lots of acid and minerality mixed with rich pear light fruit touches. Full mouthfeel and a long finish. Fantastic vintage. — a year ago

Carter Snead

9.5

25th anniversary! — a year ago

with John and Leigh

Daniel Bloom

9.5

Deeeelicious, especially after a tomato based Amatriciana! Reticent at first, mostly growling maelstrom of tannin and acid, but with tomatoes and protein, chocolate, herbs, unquenchable, perfect.
Balsam, chocolate, herbs, a trip to Tuscany. So nice. Food wine.
Thanks @ Garagiste — a year ago

with Sarah

Jay Kline

9.1

Another vintage, another lovely Chianti Classico Riserva from Castello di Monsanto which continues to be a benchmark for wines from San Donato in Poggio. Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days and consistent over both. The 2019 Monsanto CCR pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core. Medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, baked mixed berries, dried green herbs, red carnations, dried gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is dry. Medium+ tannin and Medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is medium+. A lovely pairing with almost any red sauce dish. Drinking well now and I expect it will continue to do so through 2034. — a year ago

Andrea Watt

9.4

Fresh and crisp with lemon, pear, oak, vanilla, and toast. Lots of juicy acidity and flavor. — a year ago

Matthew W.

9.1

Bright red fruits, cigar box, smooth fresh finish. — a year ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Finally opening a bottle with a 1.5 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A still majestic dark garnet with some bricking. On the nose: expressive notes of red fruit, smokey vanilla, cedarwood, pine, and pencil lead. Taste: silky, opulent, creamy wine with red fruit, cassis, chocolate covered cherry, earth, iron and a saline/slightly bitter graphite long finish. YUM! Drinks well with the decant, but still on the younger side and will be fun to see where it goes....fortunately have more bottles — a year ago

with Brenda