Served blind alongside what was eventually revealed to be the 2018 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “SLV”. This was immediately recognizable as Montebello with a textbook nose of deftly balanced American oak and a decidedly brighter version of Cabernet Sauvignon. Distinctive and distinguished but woefully young. Unless you have multiples, please hang onto these until at least 2029. I am convinced that Monte Bello is truly an American treasure.
Served blind alongside what was eventually revealed to be the 2018 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “SLV”. This was immediately recognizable as Montebello with a textbook nose of deftly balanced American oak and a decidedly brighter version of Cabernet Sauvignon. Distinctive and distinguished but woefully young. Unless you have multiples, please hang onto these until at least 2029. I am convinced that Monte Bello is truly an American treasure.
1 person found it helpfulJun 19th, 2023
BBQ smoke, medium+ concentration bright ruby - hazy and cloudy, mint, eucalyptus, rosemary, bay leaf, cranberry juice, red cherry, vanilla beans, baking spices, blackcurrant, pepper, empty cigar box, no pyrazene?, high acidity, high grainy tannins. Full body.
BBQ smoke, medium+ concentration bright ruby - hazy and cloudy, mint, eucalyptus, rosemary, bay leaf, cranberry juice, red cherry, vanilla beans, baking spices, blackcurrant, pepper, empty cigar box, no pyrazene?, high acidity, high grainy tannins. Full body.
Oct 9th, 2022
Just a half bottle test.. way way too early. Decanted and it needed a solid hour before it unfolded at all. Great structure lurking but this experience was impaired by immaturity.
Just a half bottle test.. way way too early. Decanted and it needed a solid hour before it unfolded at all. Great structure lurking but this experience was impaired by immaturity.
Dec 24th, 2024
Despite being young and needing a few more years in the bottle, this 2019 shows great promise. Not too tannin heavy. Great fruit but not too jammy.
Despite being young and needing a few more years in the bottle, this 2019 shows great promise. Not too tannin heavy. Great fruit but not too jammy.
Apr 3rd, 2022
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
